Information Technology Services
Location: Agard-Lovinggood 105
Email: HelpDesk@htu.edu
Phone: (512) 505-3168
Academic Computing Laboratories
Huston-Tillotson University maintains computer laboratories which offer the latest in computer technology and reliable high speed access to the Internet. The computer labs are utilized to support specific courses and, on a scheduled basis, are open to all enrolled students free of charge. Academic computing laboratory services are coordinated by the Director of Information Technology.
Huston-Tillotson University offers a wide array of computing, networking, and media services to students, faculty, and staff. These services are in place to facilitate teaching, learning and administrative activities that support course enrollment, advising, grade reporting and other recordkeeping functions. By accessing these services, all students agree to abide by and be subject to the terms and conditions contained in the University’s Policy and Procedures Manual, Volume VII, Student Handbook as well as those cited in all other applicable University policies. It is the intent of this policy to enable high-quality services and maximize productivity while protecting the rights of all students of the community.
An account is provided to each student after registration is completed and remains in effect as long as the student is enrolled at the University. Accounts assigned to students are the property of Huston-Tillotson University. The standard Huston-Tillotson University naming convention comprises the first and middle initials of the student’s name, followed by the last name. If duplicates occur, the first name initials are used twice to resolve conflicts. Example: ssjones@htu.edu.
Huston-Tillotson University reserves the right to allocate resources in different ways in order to achieve maximum usage. To accomplish this, the system administrator may suspend or terminate privileges to individuals, without notice, if malicious misuse or use inconsistent with University policy or applicable law is discovered. Privileges may also be suspended, without notice, to meet time-dependent, critical operational needs. The system administrator may also limit the number of messages or files that each user has in order to keep the system functioning.
Residence hall connections are intended to provide end-user connections to campus computing services and the Internet. Wireless network connections in the residence hall rooms are available. The wireless network is AirRam.
Policies Governing Use of Network Services
Personal Computers on the Network
Personally owned computers that are used on the University’s network are subject to the regulations contained in the University’s Policies and Procedures Manual, Volume VII, Student Handbook. If bandwidth or other problems occur, Information Technology Services (ITS) reserves the right to discontinue access to the network. Computer connections to the network may not be used as servers for private enterprises, commercial activity, or profit. ITS reserves the right to disconnect any network ports having activity that adversely affects the network or any other user. Network connections may also be revoked in the case of malicious or inappropriate computing activity.
All students, faculty, and staff are expected to abide by the rules, regulations and policies promulgated in the University’s Policy and Procedures Manual, Volume II, Campus Community, Section 2.5, Communications Policy.
Huston-Tillotson University strongly recommends that e-mail not be used for confidential communication. E-mail is now considered a formal written record that carries the same legal weight as a paper memorandum. Users of e-mail should remember that e-mail messages become the possession of the receiver and can be easily duplicated and redistributed by recipients. Messages that have been deleted can be retained unintentionally on system backup files in a disaster case only (server outage, mass e-mail virus, catastrophe, etc.). In addition, even secure passwords are not completely confidential. When a private message needs to be conveyed between two individuals, a conversation is the best way to accomplish it; and messages that should not be preserved should be deleted immediately. E-mail is also governed by state and federal laws with regard to copyrighted material, photographic images and libelous remarks.
University policy prohibits certain types of e-mail. These include mail messages that may be perceived as pornographic, harassment, political campaigning, or commercial solicitation. Chain mail is also prohibited because it consumes a large amount of system resources. Certain types of e-mails, including but not limited to harassing e-mail, may subject the sender to civil or criminal penalties. In spite of University policy, malicious users who know the computer owner’s ID and password can abuse e-mail. Users are responsible for protecting their own passwords. These policies will be enforced when violators are brought to the attention of the ITS administrator.
Huston-Tillotson University does allow mass mailings via the e-mail server; however, guidelines govern its use. For additional guidance on mass mailings, contact the ITS office.
Security for access to the network and to files or applications on a server is implemented via user ID and password systems. Each user is responsible for all e-mail transactions made under each user’s user ID and password, and for all network e-mail activity originating from that connection. Users are solely responsible for the security of the ID and password assigned to them. All students, faculty, and staff are required to sign a Local Area Network (LAN) Access form.
Only the person responsible for the account and user ID should have access to the password. Access to user IDs may not be loaned or sold and any suspected breach of password security should be reported immediately to IT at x3168 or via e-mail at helpdesk@htu.edu. Some common rules to follow to protect the password include:
- Do not store passwords at any workstations that can be used to gain access to other computing resources;
- Never share passwords; and
- Never tape passwords to a wall or under a keyboard.
Responsible Use of Network and Computing Facilities
Huston-Tillotson University is a private institution fully committed to the ideals of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and multicultural diversity. At the same time, inappropriate and/or malicious use of computing resources that in any way is wasteful of the University’s equipment or services, violates the rights of others or is inconsistent with the University’s policies relative to technology, is strictly prohibited. Violators will be penalized severely and expeditiously. Penalties may include warning, administrative or involuntary withdrawal, suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities.
Students have the responsibility as authorized users to use the network and systems appropriately. This is the only way that the integrity and availability of the network and systems can be ensured for everyone. Each student is responsible for using only the account or computer for which the student has authorization. Moreover, each student is responsible for protecting all passwords. Individual responsibility also involves respecting the rights of other users.
Indemnification of Huston-Tillotson University
Users agree, in consideration of access to the University’s computing, networking and media services, to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the University from any suits, claims, losses, expenses or damages, including, but not limited to, the user’s access to or use of the University’s computer resources and all other media services and facilities.
