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The ACS Open-Access Labs are available for use by students currently registered at Otis College. A wide variety of software is available in the lab for students. The lab provides an area where students can work on assignments, with minimal interruptions in scheduling or restrictions that may exist in other campus labs. In support of this goal, the following policies are in effect:

 
Lab Access Policies:

Access to the labs is available to any Otis College: 1) student, 2) faculty member, or 3) staff performing instructional work related to course assignments and academic growth within the College. Lab access policies are:

  • Workstations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A workstation may not be   reserved.
  • Currently enrolled students have priority over others in the lab. If there are no workstations available, and students are waiting, non-student users will be asked to give up their workstations.
  • All users of these facilities must possess a current valid Otis College ID card.
  • The entire lab is intended for academic work only for which computer access is needed; groups holding discussions will be asked to leave.
  • All labs, except the Open-Access and Media Lab may be used for class demonstrations or reserved in any other way for classes.
  • Computers being used to check email only are a low priority. If students are waiting to use applications, email users will be asked to give up their workstations.
  • Game playing will NOT be permitted in any labs! Users playing games will be asked to leave.
  • Users should take care not to display images, sounds or messages which could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment to others. Students should make arrangements through their instructor for a private work area if a class assignment requires them to access such materials.
  • Workstations left unattended for more than 10 minutes will be rebooted.
  • Materials found at unattended workstations will be moved to the lab technician desk and treated as lost. (See “Lost and Found” below.)
  • When asked to leave your workstation by a lab technician, please do so immediately.
  • More than one person at a workstation is permitted providing they do not interfere with surrounding workstations, (e.g., by removing chairs, creating excess noise, etc.)
Equipment Policies:

The equipment in this lab, like most other modern personal computing equipment, is susceptible to a wide variety of problems when not handled properly. Common sense should always be exercised in working around such equipment. To aid in this area, the equipment policies in the labs are:

  • In order to protect the equipment from possible damage, NO Food, Drink, Smoking, Chewing, animals, Bicycles or Skateboards are allowed in the labs.
  • Users must provide their own data disks for their own files. Files saved on local and server temp drives may be deleted by any user without notice!
  • ACS is not responsible for damaged disks or loss of data while using this equipment. If you do spot a problem with the equipment, please inform the lab monitor so they can report the problem to the appropriate person.
Software Policies:

Like all computer software, the software in this lab is subject to copyright and licensing agreements. These agreements are legal, binding documents that everyone must respect and follow while using this facility. Users must provide their own data disk for their own files. Files saved on local and server hard drives are not secure and may be deleted without notice. Please review the ACS Software Installation Policy [below] for information on installing software in the Open Access Computer Labs.

Security Policies:

All users are expected to comply with the open-access Lab policies on responsible use of information technology and all other campus policies. Campus computing policies are available on the Otis College web site. Please take the time to read these policies! Anyone found violating these policies or compromising the security of the lab or ACS resources (hardware, software, networks, operating systems, etc.) may face the loss of computing privileges (including future access to ACS labs), academic/College disciplinary action, as well as prosecution under applicable civil and criminal laws.

Lost and Found:

The following policies apply to lost articles found within the ACS labs:

  • All lost items found in the lab should be turned in to the lab monitor.
  • Found items (except those noted below) will be held for up to one week at the lab monitor  desk before being taken to the campus lost and found office.
  • Valuable items found in the lab will be held in 401B before being taken to the campus lost and found in TSS at the end of each week.
  • ID’s will be mailed to Student Services.
  • Otis College is not responsible for lost articles within the labs.
  • Lost notices must be placed outside the labs on bulletin boards set aside for general posting.   Please do not post on the lab bulletin boards.