Information Services - Student Computing Terms of Service

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Information Services management created this document to detail what you, the student, can expect from us when you use the non-instructional student computer labs and campus kiosks. This document also addresses the resources available to support student computing on campus and what you can expect from the student lab assistants employed by Purdue North Central. This document does not apply to teaching labs and other single discipline computer labs.

We have included information about:

• The service locations we support
• The services we provide
• The services we do not provide
• Student computing software
• What you can do to help us help you
• What to do if you're not satisfied with our service
• Rules of conduct

Service locations we support
Information Services is responsible for all hardware/software implementation and maintenance as well as service support of student labs and kiosks. You may view the Terms of Service document addressing hardware/software support at http://www.pnc.edu/is/tos_is_labs.htm  

Students may use the student computing labs to complete their homework, conduct research, and communicate with the faculty and other students. Lab computers are purchased using student technology fees and are for academic purposes. Individual faculty and staff may use these labs if computers are available. These labs are not designed as instructional computer labs. Students may use kiosks for brief email transactions.

Tech 265 Students will find computers running the standard academic lab software load . This lab is also equipped with laser printers and a color scanner. Current operating hours of the lab are posted in the lab, around campus, online. and with the campus operator. During posted hours, a lab assistant will be available to assist you.

Tech 164   This is a small, unattended, student computer lab designed to provide students access to networked computers when Tech 265 is not open. The computers in Tech 164 run the standard academic lab software load . It is also equipped with a laser printer. This lab is accessible when the Technology building is open and Tech 265 is closed. Current operating hours of the lab are posted in the lab, around campus, online , and with the campus operator.

Kiosks   Kiosks are located in the LSF and SWRZ buildings on campus. They are available during regular building hours. Students may use these machines to check and send email.

Services we provide:

Attended lab
The main lab (Tech 265) is staffed by student employees and supervised by a full-time staff member. Student lab assistants are not required to have a specific computer major or background, so levels of computer skills may vary somewhat among lab assistants. Information Services trains student lab assistants in the basic functions of the productivity software, student network accounts, and operating systems used in the labs we support. Student lab assistants are trained in how to launch academic software applications. However, questions above and beyond the basic opening of these programs must be addressed by the Instructor. Student lab assistants are trained to provide the following services:

• Helping change lost, forgotten, or expired student account passwords. This must be done in person with a picture id. We will not change passwords over the phone or by email.
• Instructing students how to signon and logoff the lab computers
• Explaining the basic campus network services available to students
• Assisting students in using the basic functions of the operating systems used in the lab
• Assisting students in using the basic functions of the PNC standard productivity software applications
• Assisting students in launching academic software applications
• Assisting students in using the printers and scanner.
• Providing customized help for disabled students with special needs
• Refilling paper and toner in printers and resolving paper jams

Unattended lab and kiosks
I nformation Services does not provide student lab assistants at these service locations to help you. To request assistance or report a technical problem, you may call the Student Help Desk in the main student computer lab, ext. 5462. The help desk is staffed during regular lab hours. Be aware, however, the student lab assistant may not leave the lab to assist you at another location. If you need to report a problem outside regular lab hours, you may leave a message at the Student Help Desk and we will return your call during regular lab hours. Information Services will provide the following support in the unattended lab or at the kiosks:

• Troubleshoot technical hardware/software/printer problems
• Restock printer paper
• Provide instructions for using kiosks
• Provide access to lab handouts

Services we do not provide	Alternative Source
Assisting students in academic subjects	Instructor
Assisting students in the use of academic software	Instructor
Providing floppy disks or other removable media	Campus bookstore Local supply stores

Student Computing Software
You will find a current and complete list of software titles available in the student computer labs at http://www.pnc.edu/is/software_current/tech265_current.htm  

1. Productivity software and operating systems
   Windows XP is the operating system used in the student computer labs. The types of productivity software available in the student computer labs includes Internet browsers, Email interfaces, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, and Presentation applications.
2. Academic software
   Academic software includes any application that is not included in #1 above, and has been requested by an instructor for support of a specific academic class or section. Some of these programs require the student to bring a program disk or CD to launch the application. In this case, the student must provide this medium as it is not available in the lab.
3. Student accounts
   When you are admitted as a student to Purdue North Central you are assigned a student computer account. A student account gives you access to the student campus network which provides you access to printers, network storage space, and instructors' on-line class materials. Your user id and initial password will be sent to you shortly after admission.
   

What you can do to help us help you
Before requesting help from the student lab assistant, save your work!

Information you may need to provide when requesting assistance: 

Personal information	Your name, network user id and password, picture id, Social Security number, phone number
Computer information	Name/type of file you are accessing Name of program in which you are working Last keys you pressed Exact text or error message

It is the individual student's responsibility to:

• Keep your password private
• Logoff computer when finished
• Save your work often
• Do your own homework
• Follow lab's rules of conduct (see below)

Rules of Conduct

• Do not bring food or drink into the computer labs.
• Be quiet and courteous to your fellow students. Treat the labs as if they were libraries.
• Turn cell phones to vibrate when in the lab.
• Step outside of the lab if receiving or making a phone call.
• Supervise your children if you must bring them into the lab and take them out if they are disruptive.
• Leave work area around computers clean and neat.
• Computer use, including Internet access, should be for academic and educational purposes and should be used with respect for the sensitivities of others sharing these common facilities.
• Use recycle bins in each of the labs. Put blank paper in the specially marked containers.
• Be ready to leave the lab at the posted closing time.
• Always log off before you leave.
• Inform the lab assistant of any equipment problems.
• Do not add personal software or peripheral equipment to lab machines.

What to do if you're not satisfied with our service
If you have any questions about the services you receive you may choose to speak to someone in authority. Some of the reasons you may wish to elevate the attention of your problem are:

• The student Lab Assistants were rude
• The student Lab Assistants were not available during the published normal hours of operation
• The student Lab Assistants were unable to help with a basic question
• You did not receive a response from the staff or your request could not be implemented

To elevate your call, please contact one of the following:
          Dawn Madura, Student Computer Lab Coordinator, ext. 5632
          Glen Piper, Manager, Academic Information Technology, ext. 5542
          Dan Burns, Director, Information Services, ext. 5377

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to email the Lab Coordinator.