Main Content:
Information Technology Services
Policies and Procedures
iT Policies and Procedures:
- Comuter Problems/Requests
- File/document Management
- Software
- Printers
- Verifying Software
- Network Usernames
- Directories (F:, L:\drives)
- Screen Savers
- Workstation Security
- Passwords
- MnSCU
- Virus Protection
- Backups
- Work-study Students
- Network availability
- Shutting down the Computer
- Student Computer Labs
- Additional Policies
Computer Problems or Requests
All computer requests and/or problems should be relayed to
the Information Technology Services Helpdesk via the following
methods:
EMAIL - tech.help@rctc.edu
PHONE - 536-5555 Leave message if we
are not in the office. If it is an emergency, you can page
us by pressing 112 after you leave a message. Remember to
leave your phone number. We are not always near a directory
when we get your message. We do not always remember the request/problem
of hallway conversations by the time we get back to the office
so please use the phone or e-mail.
HOURS
7:30 am to 10:00 pm - Monday-Thursday
7:30 am to
4:30 pm - Fri
8-4:30pm - Saturday
Closed - Sunday
File/document
Management
Files/documents stored on the hard drive are the sole responsibility
of the user. Users should not store files on their desktop,
shortcuts are preferred, as they don't slow the login process. Information
Technology Services will not transfer, copy, etc., any files
from the hard drive. Users should back up files stored on
the local computer to floppies or CD-Rs. All users have a home
directory on the network that will not be deleted during
upgrades or transfers. The files in the home directory are
backed up daily. Email information is stored on the server
so this information will not be affected by changes made during
an upgrade or replacement process.
Software
Only software approved and installed by Information Technology
Services will be supported and/or transferred when systems
are upgraded or repaired.
Any software program that is not approved and does not have a license on file with the IT department will be removed.
To get software on the "approved" list, the individual must provide Information Technology Services with a copy of the software, license information, and purchase information. After we receive the software and information, we will test the software to ensure it does not conflict with our network applications or other software installed on our systems. (Contact the computer helpdesk for more information about the evaluation process.)
Verifying a Program
If you
receive an error using a program and rebooting the computer does not fix
the problem, one of the first things you can try to remedy the problem is
to "Verify" the program. This option will reinstall the program and reset
the defaults for the application on your system. This will not delete your
saved program files, so it is safe to use.
- Right click on the desktop Icon of the program you wish to verify. This should bring up a menu.
- Choose the option “Verify”.
- It may take a while to reinstall, so be patient at this point.
- Once it is done verifying the program, it may ask you to restart you computer. Select “Yes” if this message is displayed.
Printers
Users will be able to install any printer that is available
on campus and this includes color printers. Each user will
need to set a default printer
for their account. Only currently installed local printers on our inventory
list will be supported.
Adding a Printer using Active Directory Printing
- Click Start - then Printers and Faxes.
- Choose Add Printer near the top left of the Printers and Faxes dialog box.
- Click next.
- Choose A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer and click next.
- Click find a printer in the directory and click next.
- In the find printers dialog box enter the name of the printer you would like to add and click Find Now. When the printer shows up below highlight and printer and click OK.
- Choose whether or not you would like to have the printer as a default or not and click Next.
- Then click Finish.
Network
Usernames
Will be composed of the first digit of first name + 5 digits
of last name (i.e. John Schmidt = jschmi)
If the username is duplicated with another, a number will be added: jschmi01
E-Mail
The supported e-mail package is Outlook on PC or Entourage on Mac. You can also access your e-mail, through the Web access from a non-campus computer. You will need to set a Outlook
password to use Web access. The Outlook Web Access (OWA) is the name of the web interface
to access your email account. The address of this server online is https://owa.roch.edu/owa Remember
do not put a www in front of this address.
E-mail is for work-related communications. Never put anything in an e-mail message that you wouldn't want the whole world to see. Access to and use of e-mail is a privilege and should be treated as such by all users. Campus computers, networking services, including e-mail, may not be used for illegal or unauthorized purposes including, but not limited to, harassment; destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to others; unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials; or the disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications. Using e-mail to participate in illegal acts is itself illegal and may be subject to prosecution by state and federal authorities. Use of e-mail for private business purposes unrelated to RCTC is unauthorized.
Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of Electronic Communication and Technology: http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/522.html
E-Mail Address
The format will be for email addresses is firstname.lastname@roch.edu
(i.e. john.schmidt@roch.edu)
E-Mail Groups
The following e-mail groups are managed by ITS: UCR-ALL,
RCTC-ALL, UMR-ALL. You can create your own personal e-mail
groups. You can configure your email groups to be shared with
other individuals as you choose. If there is a need for a "large-scale" group
for everyone to access, (i.e. Grounds and Safety group), a
member of the group will be responsible for updates and maintenance
of the group.
Nonwork E-mail
Statewide Policy: Appropriate Use of Electronic Communication
and Technology: http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/522.html
Home
Directories (F:\ drive)
Users with our standard image will have a home directory on
the network. This directory is limited to 50 MB by default.
If more space is required contact the computer helpdesk and
they can reassess your space requirements. It will be the
responsibility of the user to remove files when the space limit
is reached. Any software program in the home directory that
is not approved or does not have a license on file with the
IT department will be removed.
Temp Directory (L:\ drive)
The temp directory is for the sharing of files with other users
on our network. The contents of this directory will be removed
daily between midnight and 6AM.
Screen
Savers
A standard screen saver will be used on campus workstations. The
screensaver will be activated after the computer is idle for
15 minutes. You will need to enter your network password to
de-activate the screen saver. This is implemented to increase
security on the workstations. If you share the computer with
other faculty/staff, you are reminded to log out of the computer
if you are leaving your office. Otherwise, others will not
be able to unlock the screen saver. No other screen savers
will be allowed.
If you need to lock your workstation before the 15 minutes, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose lock workstation.
Workstation
Security
The screen saver will be activated after a system is idle for
15 minutes. Your network password will be required to de-activate
the screen saver. If you need to lock your workstation before
the 15 minutes, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose lock
workstation.
Passwords
Network passwords will expire every 90
days. You will be warned when you have 6 logins remaining
to change your password. This coincides with the general MnSCU
timeline for changing passwords. We suggest that you change
them at the same time for your convenience. The email password
does not expire and does not change to coincide with your Network
password If you forget your network or email passwords, contact
the computer helpdesk for assistance.
DO NOT write down your password and leave it in accessible location (i.e. under your keyboard, taped to your monitor or anywhere on your desk.) You are responsible for anything someone may do on your computer or the network when logged in using your account.
Passwords must be a minimum of 8 characters in length and can include any combination of numbers, letter and symbols. Your password should include special characters, as they are not easily guessed. Users are discouraged from using your name, title or something that other people know or can be easily guessed. Users should never share passwords with other employees. You cannot reuse previous passwords. The system will check your password for uniqueness by referencing dictionaries and username lists.
Security
Contact the Technology Support Center for MnSCU security issues. This includes getting access and password problems.
Access Problems
Information Technology Services will address problems getting into MnSCU, such as problems with the icon and connection problems
Within Program
Problems/questions regarding the internal workings of MnSCU should be addressed to the MnSCU helpdesk at 1(888) 345-0131 or 1(800) 818-8797.
Virus
Protection
All computers connected to the Network must have current virus
protection installed and activated. Workstations with our
standard image will automatically receive virus software updates
as they become available, usually on a weekly basis.
Backups
All user data on the servers is backed up every night.
Work-study
Students
Workstudy students must be given access to the computers that
you wish them to log into. Please provide a list of student
IDs that you would like to access
your workstudy machines. If the students require access to a special application
this information should be included with your requests. Please send these requests
to the computer helpdesk email.
Network
Availability
The server/network will not be available between the hours
of 12:00 midnight and 7:00 am for maintenance and backups.
Shutting
Down the Computer
Do not shut off the power on your computer.
Use the following procedure:
- Click on the Start Button
- Choose Shutdown
- Then Choose “Restart”
When the login screen appears, you can turn off your monitor
but leave the computer on.
This procedure is vital for updates and maintenance to workstations.
Additional
policies can be found at the following web sites or you
can obtain a copy from the Information Technology Services Office
(formerly Computer Services).
- State of Minnesota security standards
- Statewide MnSCU Policy:
Appropriate Use of Electronic Communication and Technology: http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/522.html
Student
Computer Labs
Questions or problems regarding the student computer labs
should be directed to the Student Computer Lab Help Desk. The
helpdesk is located in SH201. A student worker is on duty
to help with questions or problems. This helpdesk should be
the first point of contact for any lab questions.
The Library Technology Center (LTC) is located on the 2nd floor of the Library on the UCR campus. This is an open computer lab equipped with the same software and equipment as the teaching labs. A student worker is on duty to help with questions or problems. The LTC is open:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
(Hours do vary during the summer, holidays, and semester breaks)
There is also an open computer lab (LTC) on the Heintz Center Campus located in HC117. The lab is open
Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm