This document defines the Department of Computer Science Laboratory
Policy, afterwards referred to as the Lab Policy. The Computer
Science Lab Policy extends the University
of Saskatchewan Computer Use Policy. Violations of the Lab Policy
are dealt with as specified by the Procedures for Resolving Computer
Science Laboratory Policy Violations.
The Department of Computer Science attempts to provide an excellent
level of access to resources in its laboratories, creating a helpful
and secure environment in which to study computer science. The
laboratories are composed of a combination of hardware, software,
data, communications connections, people, facilities, and
supplies. The laboratories are managed by a professional staff who
provide a variety of services to the users of the Lab to optimize the
benefits of these components for its intended users.
The Department of Computer Science allows its students to use its
laboratories both to do their class assignments and to explore further
aspects of computing knowledge as long as they so do in a lawful
manner that does not waste, monopolize, or damage resources and that
does not interfere with the ability of other individuals to use the
labs. Abusers of the labs will have their accounts revoked and may be
subject to legal or academic actions. Users must not use the labs to
access other computing installations in a manner that would be a
violation of this policy if such use were entirely within our
labs.
Users are expected to use computing resources in a responsible and
efficient manner. The department also encourages students to use the
facilities to explore and learn beyond the material taught in the
Department's courses.
In order to meet these goals, the department has
set the following rules for users of its laboratories:
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Access to the department's computing resources is a privilege
granted to faculty, staff, and graduate students, as well as undergraduate
students enrolled in Computer Science courses. The department
reserves the right to limit, restrict, or extend these privileges.
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Use of the computing resources must not violate, or be used to
violate University policies or procedures, provincial or federal law,
and must not constitute an academic or non-academic offence, as
defined in the University
of Saskatchewan University Council & College Regulations on
Examinations and Student Grievances, Appeals & Discipline
Regulations.
In particular, federal law concerning copyright applies to computer software
used in the laboratories. Therefore:
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Software provided for course work in the labs is strictly for personal
academic use in connection with classes in Computer Science; do not
make copies of any software or use it for any other purpose unless
permission for such activity is expressly granted by the software
vendor or the department.
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Copying of software to or from the equipment in the labs is not allowed.
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Personally-owned software may not be used unless advance written
permission is obtained from the Lab Manager.
Additional information on copyright can be found in University
Copyright Compliance - Software Licenses.
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Users shall use laboratory facilities only for activities related to
class work between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to
Friday, or when all computers are being used regardless of time or
day. Non-class-related activities include (but are not limited to):
game playing and legal music and software downloads.
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Laboratory file storage space is to be used for class work; however, a
user may temporarily use file storage space for non-class related
activities. Such files should be removed within 48 hours of being
placed on the system. Although a 48 hour limit exists, a system
administrator may ask you to remove such files before that time is up
if conditions warrant.
On UNIX systems, files that a user thinks may be of general interest may
be placed on the /public file system. It should be noted that all files on
this file system may be deleted at the discretion of the system
administrators.
Users may not store obscene files in the file storage space. This includes
both text and picture files.
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The owner of an account is responsible for any and all actions
which take place on that account. Therefore, users shall not give their
password to others or allow others to use their assigned accounts. Users
shall not use the accounts assigned to other users even with that person's
permission. Users shall not attempt to obtain the passwords of other
accounts.
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Users shall not send electronic mail or post network news messages
which are obscene, abusive, threatening, or harassing.
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Users shall not attempt to crash or otherwise interfere with the
normal operation of machines. This includes things such as writing
software that will crash them or use up all the system resources and
physically power cycling the machine.
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Users shall not attempt to circumvent software systems for logging
use of the machines.
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Users should be aware that for purposes of providing a reasonable
level of access to the resources, it may be necessary at times for
system administrators to access the files in a user's assigned
account. This access will only be allowed in cases where either a
system problem has occurred and the administrator needs to examine
certain files in order to fix the problem or there is reasonable
suspicion of a violation of this policy. In the latter case, the
system administrator must obtain approval from the department head or
his/her designate before examining the files, except in circumstances
of emergency.
Because of the possibility of a system administrator accessing files,
users are encouraged to compress and encrypt (in that order) any
sensitive information that they wish to keep online.
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Periodic maintenance is required to keep the lab functioning
smoothly. It may be necessary to perform maintenance procedures during
lab hours so you may be asked to logout and leave the lab. Please
cooperate so that the lab operation may be restored as soon as
possible.
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Common sense dictates that laboratory users:
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Not consume food or drink in the computer laboratories;
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Treat the equipment with respect and use it in a responsible manner;
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Leave all equipment and supplies in the computer laboratories;
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Report any malfunctioning equipment to the lab assistant rather than attempt to repair it themselves; and
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Print only single copies of documents. (Multiple copies should be made with a photocopier.)
Violations of this policy will be dealt with as described in Procedures for Resolving Computer
Science Laboratory Policy Violations.
Requests for special privileges, questions about the availability of
resources, questions regarding interpretations of this policy, and
violations of this policy should be directed to the manager of the
laboratory or to the department head.