OSU/COTC Computer Lab Policy

Classes in the Lab

The OSU-N Labs are located in F174 and F180. Both rooms are used for class instruction and as open labs. Open lab hours are posted outside each room and across campus. If at anytime both rooms are in use, and you need to use a PC, please use one of the computers in the Library or at the Reese Center RS206.

The COTC lab is F106A and this room is also used for classes. Please consult the posted lab hours for scheduled open lab times in F106A.

Reese 206, on the second floor of the Reese Building, is an open lab for all students on Newark Campus.

All computers on campus, which are available for students’ use, are configured per campus standards and may have specialized software as dictated by academic need.

Schedule of Hours

The hours of each lab are posted on the lab door as well as bulletin boards outside the computer labs. All lab hours and schedules are subject to change, so check the schedules regularly for any changes. Also, please confirm with the university regarding the schedule for holidays and quarter breaks, as the lab will be closed on those days.

Online Testing Error Reporting

There is always a chance of losing an internet or network connection for any number of reasons. If a student is taking an online test and loses their connection a TechConnect representative (open lab monitor) will document the event. The information needed to document the event will be as follows:

Date
Student name
School
Course
Test name
Program being used during testing
Time of occurrence
NCCC# of computer
Type of error
Course instructor
Employee name of who documented event

The lab monitor will take this information regarding the event and complete the Online Testing Error Log. The current log will remain in each open lab at all times. Completed logs will be forwarded to J. Keith Fowlkes for archiving.

After recording the event, the monitor will send an email to the instructor and email a copy to J. Keith Fowlkes at kfowlkes@cotc.edu.

Policy on Appropriate Use of Computer Facilities

The Ohio State University at Newark/Central Ohio Technical College ((OSU-N/COTC or the College) maintains computing and networking facilities for the purpose of conducting and fostering the instructional and research activities of the College. The Appropriate Use of Computer Facilities policy was designed to ensure the proper use of computing facilities consistent with the general principles that govern our academic community. To maximize usefulness of Computer Facilities activities, the College provides access in the most open manner permitted by the owners or providers of the Computing Facilities.

In this policy, the term “Computer Facilities” is defined to include computers, computers in individual faculty offices, computer networks, connections to external computer networks and subscriptions to external computer services. “Licensed Software” collectively refers to copyrighted and proprietary programs, data and documentation. “Software” collectively refers to the programs, data, and documentation developed from the College’s instructional and research activities by the Faculty, Students, and Staff of OSU or OSU-N/COTC.

The failure of OSU-N/COTC to prevent unauthorized use of the Computer Facility does not relieve an individual of the responsibility of obtaining authorization prior to his or her use of the Computer Facility.

Proscribed activities

The following activities involving use of Computer Facilities are prohibited::

Transmitting, copying, or creating unsolicited information that contains obscene, indecent, lewd or lascivious material or other material that explicitly or implicitly refers to sexual conduct.
Transmitting, copying or creating unsolicited information that contains profane language or panders to bigotry, sexism, or other forms of discrimination.
Communicating any information concerning any password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information without the permission of its owner or the controlling authority of the Computer Facility to which it belongs.
Creating, modifying, executing or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to gain unauthorized access to or make unauthorized use of a Computer Facility, Software or Licensed Software.
Creating, modifying, executing or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to obscure the true identity of the sender of electronic mail or electronic messages, collectively referred to as “messages”, including, but not limited to, forgery of messages and/or alteration of system and/or user data used to identify the sender of messages.
Accessing or intentionally destroying Software or Licensed Software in a Computer Facility without the permission of the owner of such Software or Licensed Software or the controlling authority of the Facility.
Making unauthorized copies of Licensed Software.
Communicating any credit card number or other financial account number without the permission of its owner.
Effecting or receiving unauthorized electronic transfer of funds.
Violating any laws or participating in the commission or furtherance of any crime or other unlawful or improper purpose.
Using the Computer Facilities in a manner inconsistent with the College’s contractual obligation to suppliers of Computer Facilities or with any published College policy.

Use of Computer Facilities

Use of Computer Facilities is permitted for educational and research purposes of students, faculty, and staff.
Guests to the campus who are not employees or students may not use the computers in any of the labs. Wireless accounts are available for guests in the library.
Use of OSU-N/COTC computing facilities for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited.

Exceptions

The Chief Information Officer may approve exceptions.

Enforcement

Users who violate this policy may be denied access to OSU-N/COTC computing resources and may be subject to other penalties both within and outside OSU-N/COTC. Violations will normally be handled through the disciplinary procedures applicable to the relevant user. OSU-N/COTC may temporarily suspend a user’s privileges prior to the initiation or completion of such procedures.

Governing Law

Federal and State Law also regulate unauthorized access to Computer Facilities, Software and Licensed Software. A brief summary of Federal law relevant to this issue follows:

Federal Law

It is a violation of Federal Law to intentionally (1) access a computer without authorization and thereby to obtain classified information (2) access a computer without authorization and thereby to obtain financial records of a financial institution (3) access any U.S. Government computer without authorization with the intent to defraud (5) access a financial institution or U.S. Government computer without authorization and thereby alter, damage, or destroy information which causes losses to others of a value exceeding $1,000 or more during any one year or which modifies or impairs medical diagnosis, treatment, or care (6) with intent to defraud to traffic in passwords or similar information through which a computer may be accessed if the trafficking affects interstate commerce or the computer is used by the U.S. Government. The penalty can be a fine or as much as 20 years in the Federal penitentiary for these violations. (18 USCA sec.103).

Copyright is a constitutionally conceived property right, which is designed to promote progress of science and the useful arts by securing for an author the benefits of his/her original work for a limited time (US Constitution Art. 1, Sec. 8) Congress has passed the Copyright statute (17 USCA sec. 101 et seq) to implement this policy by balancing the author’s interest against the public interest in the dissemination of information affecting areas of universal interest.

Role of the TechConnect Representatives

The TechConnect reps are available in each lab to assist you with any problems that you may have in the lab. Tutoring is also available in software programs that you are using on campus.