Student Handbook > College Policies
Technology Policies
- Computer Use Regulations Expand
- The recipient of the notice, usually the Network Security Officer, evaluates the notice and, if warranted, will forward to ITS network staff.
- Network staff identify the problematic computer in the network registration system and discover the name of its registered owner. Network staff also send details to the Help Desk and to the Dean of Students’ Office. The student’s network access is then blocked. Any attempt to access the Web will lead to a page informing the student of the circumstances and referring the student to the Help Desk. Attempts to access resources other than the Web will fail.
- If the student calls the Help Desk, ITS staff members explain the policy and the infraction. The student is instructed to contact the Dean’s Office.
- The Dean and/or appropriate staff consult with the student about the apparent violation and impose a response by the student.
- Upon conclusion of the consultation, the Dean or appropriate staff will notify the ITS network staff as to whether or not the student’s network access may be restored.
- If approved, network staff restore the student’s full network access.
- Network or other ITS staff members identify an IP address that is infected with a worm or virus, or otherwise is compromised and threatens other network users.
- Network staff identify the problematic computer in the network registration system and discover the name of its registered owner. Network staff blocks the computer’s network access. Because of the threat to others posed by compromised computers, network access blocking must occur immediately. Any attempt to access the Web will lead to a page informing the student of the circumstances and referring the student to the Help Desk. Attempts to access resources other than the Web will fail.
- If the student calls the Help Desk, ITS staff members explain the circumstances, and counsel the student on fixing the problem.
- Help Desk staff notify Network staff when it is safe to restore network access.
- Network or other ITS staff members identify an IP address threatening other network users.
- Network staff identify the disruptive device in the network registration system and discover the name of its registered owner. Network staff blocks the device’s network access. Because of the threat to others posed by threatening wireless devices, network access blocking must occur immediately. Any attempt to access the Web will lead to a page informing the student of the circumstances and referring the student to the Help Desk. Attempts to access resources other than the Web will fail.
- Network staff notify the Help Desk. Help Desk staff contact the wireless access device owner.
- Help Desk staff refers the operator to the wireless "how to" document, explains that such devices are not supported at the College and that a second violation will result in a written order to keep the device off the network, copied to the Dean of Students.
- If the device appears a third time and is still causing problems on the network, its network access is blocked permanently. The owner is sent a written order to this effect, and the order is copied to the Dean of Students.
- Copyright Films and Video Tapes Expand
- Movie/Video Presentation Expand
- Telephone Misuse Expand
- Voicemail Expand
Information Technology Responsible Use Policy
In support of its educational mission, Macalester College owns and maintains a number of information technology resources. These resources include a high-speed local area network, access to shared network software and storage space, public computing facilities, support services, on-line library databases and access to the Internet. Access to these resources is granted to all Macalester faculty, staff and currently-enrolled students. By sharing and using these resources, users accept full responsibility for their actions and agree that they will use these resources in an ethical manner.
Because we are an academic community, the faculty, students and staff of Macalester College honor intellectual property, respect the privacy of data, and respect the rights of others. As a carrier of information, Macalester College does not subject users' files to prior review. However, the College does make its best effort to educate the community in responsible use and respond when violations are pointed out.
Each information technology resource—those existing on campus as well as external ones to which we are connected—has an owner. Attempts, even unsuccessful ones, to use or access any resource without the permission of the owner is a violation of this policy. All accessors must respect conditions of access and use stipulated by the owner. Although individuals are not the owners of accounts assigned to them (the College is the owner), they are the owners of the files they create, and have rights to privacy and responsibilities to control access by others—you must respect others rights when you communicate with them over networks.
Anything less than adherence to the letter and spirit of copyright laws and regulations is unethical and possibly illegal. Users must obtain permission of the creator or publisher to copy software written by others. Users must abide by license agreements controlling copying and use of software and data.
College resources are provided solely for the education and research mission of Macalester and may not be used for commercial or for-profit purposes. Users who express opinions and positions through the College's IT resources must make clear that these opinions and positions are those of the individual who posts them, not of the College. Because the College is the owner of all IT resources granted to users, the College reserves the right to deny use to those who have used them in an irresponsible manner. Offenders may also be subject to disciplinary action through existing structures for faculty, students and staff of the College, as laid out in the relevant College handbooks.
People who use both on-campus and external network media (including any communication performed on the network for any purpose) must do so responsibly, in a manner that constitutes respectful behavior as laid out in the Faculty, Student and Staff Handbooks. It is unethical not to adhere to this type of behavior, even when communicating with people outside the Macalester community. For example, no form of harassment, as defined in the Student, Faculty and Staff Handbooks, will be tolerated within any media. In addition, all communications must include the sender's complete network address, unless the service explicitly invites anonymous communication. If someone requests you to stop communicating electronically with him/her, you are required to do so immediately.
Network Vulnerability Responses
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act demands effective response by the College when notified of potential violation. The College receives complaints of apparent copyright violation from copyright owners and their agents. These groups often scan the file-sharing networks looking for such files. Macalester’s response is outlined in the ‘Response to Copyright Notices’ policy, below.
"Compromised computers" are those that have been infected by threatening worms or viruses or have been hacked. Compromised computers cause grave threat to other computers sharing the network segment by emitting interfering data and/or retransmitting worms and viruses. Computers can be compromised unbeknownst to the owner if left without preventative software. Macalester’s response is outlined in the ‘Response to Compromised Computers’ policy, below.
"Wireless access devices" are units which, when plugged into our network, emit a radio signal permitting properly equipped computers to access the network. Misconfigured access devices sometimes mimic the actions of central network control equipment and disrupt network access by other users of the network segment, possibly an entire residence hall. Macalester’s response is outlined in the ‘Response to Disruptive Wireless Access Devices’ policy, below.
Students are required to register their computers (and other network devices) in order to access Macalester’s network. This registration happens the first time a student attempts to connect to our network with a device, whether over a wired or wireless connection. Registration associates the device’s Internet Protocol (IP) address with the owner’s name. This association enables ITS staff to quickly communicate with owners of problematic devices. When registration occurs, the device is scanned. Computers must be up-to-date on critical operating system patches, and further must have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed. Registration cannot be completed, and therefore full network access cannot be granted, until all of these requirements are met.
Response to Copyright Notices
Response to Compromised Computers
Response to Disruptive Wireless Access Devices
(Created July 2004; revised July 2007)
Further Computing Information is Available at:
Information Technology Services Web pages (www.macalester.edu/its/)
ITS Help Desk (Humanities 314, 651-696-6525 (www.macalester.edu/its/helpdesk/)
The U. S. Copyright Act (U.S.C. 17, 101 and 106) grants all rights of public exhibition of a copyrighted work to the owner of the copyright. Such rights of public exhibition include the right to show a film or video tape to a group, whether or not admission is charged. Congressional reports on copyright applications make clear that even "semi-public" exhibitions in residence halls, clubs and colleges are classified as public for copyright purposes.
Organizations and individuals desiring to show video tapes or films must secure permission from the holder of the copyright. Generally, this means that video tapes or films must be rented from companies who hold the rights. Neighborhood video stores do not hold these rights. Even if a tape has been purchased and is owned by a member of the community, it may not be shown outside of the student's room.
Criminal penalty for willful violation of the Copyright Act is up to one year in jail and/or a $25,000 fine. Inadvertent or innocent violations may bring substantial civil penalties.
The College has determined that public or semi-public showing of video tapes, without written permission or license, is prohibited on campus. Contact Campus Programs or Media Services for additional information.
Video Tapes and DVDs that are available for purchase or rented from retail establishments or libraries can only be viewed in your private living spaces, for specifically invited guests. Public viewing rights must be secured for any activity where a video, DVD or film is shown to the general public or as part of a large group program. One exception to these public performance fees exists for institutions of higher education, in the case of face-to face classroom instruction by a faculty member. The faculty member may show the film/movie within or outside of the normal class period to those students registered in the class. In order to invite others, the public viewing rights must be purchased. Failure to follow these federal regulations could result in prosecution from outside agencies. These regulations can be complex to determine. Please consult with a member of the Campus Programs staff prior to planning such an event.
It is a crime under both state and federal laws for anyone to make obscene and/or harassing telephone calls. These laws have penalties of imprisonment and/or fines and can result in college disciplinary actions. If you receive harassing or obscene phone calls, report it to the residence hall staff or Dean of Students Office immediately. If the call was made to your voice mail, archive the call (press 9 at end of message) and report it to the residence hall staff and security office immediately.
Use of the voicemail system for general solicitation and/or publicity is prohibited. The Dean of Students must approve all student notices sent by voicemail. Tampering with the voicemail system is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.