Computing Services
Computing Services | Computer Labs | Lab Rules | Technical Staff
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Lab Rules
The following general rules apply to all computer labs and computers in classrooms unless otherwise noted. Please note that they do not cover every possible situation and the technical staff has latitude in making judgments that meet a particular situation that is not described here. By using the computing resources, users acknowledge that the following rules have been read, are understood, and will be followed.
- Only currently enrolled UHSSL students may use the computing resources. Alumni and students at a UH System university or UH system center who are not taking classes at the Sugar Land campus may be allowed usage upon approval of the Technical Services Manager or Network Administrator.
- Lab hardware, software, and printing are to be used for educational purposes only and are not available for private or commercial use.
- Users may not violate the privacy and security of other users' work, files, CDs, disks, passwords, or any other item associated with the user's computer account.
- Users may not violate the copyright of software, data, audio, or video. (See Legal Use of Software below.)
- Users may not bring food, drink, or tobacco products into the labs.
- Users will not introduce computer viruses or other destructive code into UHSSL computer network.
- Users should maintain a quiet environment in the open computer lab so that others may work without distraction. Users may not use abusive or foul language or exhibit disruptive behavior in the lab. The open computer lab may also not to be used for visiting or group meetings. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Group work and projects that require a louder noise level may be conducted in the Multimedia Lab and Instructional Computer Computer Lab when those labs are not being used for classes. The CS/IS Instructional Computer Lab may only be used by students in the CS/IS program.
- Modifying computer system files or system settings on any workstation or laptop in the labs is not permitted. Users are also not permitted to install programs or store data files on the workstations or server. Data files should be saved on the individual's CD, DVD, or USB memory device (such as a pen drive, flash drive, etc.). In emergency situations, contact the technical staff or instructor (CS/IS lab).
- Playing games is not permitted.
- Internet usage is available for academic and educational purposes only. Chat rooms, network game playing, and pornography in any form are not permitted.
- If all of the workstations in the open lab are in use, you may use the Multimedia Lab or Instructional Computer Computer Lab if they are not being used.
- Report any suspected problems with equipment or software to the technical staff. Do not attempt to repair or disassemble any equipment.
- Children are not permitted in the lab. No exceptions!
- Conversations on cellular phones are not permitted in the open computer lab. If you make or receive a phone call, please leave the lab and conduct the conversation outside.
Violators of the above rules may be asked to leave the lab facilities. In addition, any individual who violates these policies and procedures may have his or her lab privileges revoked for a set period of time or indefinitely. Actions that are a violation of any UH System university's policy will be reported to the appropriate university official for possible disciplinary action.
Some of these conditions are matters of law and to violate them is a criminal offense (see Texas Computer Crimes Law below). UHSSL will cooperate with the federal and state agencies in the prosecution of such offenses. If you have any information concerning an infraction of the above conditions, contact the technical staff.
Please remember that while the technical staff is there to provide assistance to you, they are operational specialists and not application specialists. Their responsibility is to operate and maintain the computer network. They may not be familiar with specific software programs or applications. If you need help with a software program and they are not able to assist you with it, contact the Help Desk at your home university.
Legal Use of Software
Federal copyright laws protect most software available in the computer labs. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal. Lack of copy protection does not constitute permission to copy software in order to share or to sell it. It is the policy of UHSSL to honor all copyright protection laws. The software made available by UHSSL is licensed for your use. However, its use may be subject to certain limitations.
Students wishing to request specific software packages can give their suggestions to the technical staff for consideration. There are many issues that affect software additions and there is no guarantee that the requested software will be purchased.
UHSSL is not responsible for loss of information from computing misuse, malfunction of computing hardware, malfunction of computing software, loss of storage media, or external contamination of data or programs. UHSSL makes every effort to ensure the integrity of the campuses' computer systems and information storage.
Texas Computer Crimes Law
A computer crimes law for the state of Texas took effect in 1985, and was last amended in 1993. This law makes it a crime for any individual to use protected computer systems or data files on computers without authorization, or to use such computers or data files with intent to harm. The penalties for violation of the law range from a Class B misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
The UHSSL computer network is a protected system within the framework of the law. Users whose activities with the UHSSL network violate the law are subject to criminal prosecution. You can read the full text of the law (in Adobe Acrobat format) by clicking on the link below.
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Full Text of Texas Computer Crimes Law
Computing Services | Computer Labs | Lab Rules | Technical Staff
Frequently Asked Questions | Technology Checkout
