Computing Rules and Policies for CS IT Services and Computing Labs

CS I.T.’s Computing Services and Computing Labs: Computing Rules and Policies

The following applies to the CS Grad & Undergrad Computing Labs (MH 122 and MH G-61) and their computers. However, where appropriate, these rules and policies also apply to the general computing services provided by CS I.T. The computing labs are here to meet computing needs of students taking Computer Science courses that have specific resource needs not offered by the rest of the university computers and labs. We accomplish this goal by providing the tools needed to meet their academic goals in a positive educational environment.

NOTE: THE CS UGRAD & GRAD LABS (Malone 122 & G61) ARE UNDER SURVEILLANCE FOR YOUR SAFETY, AS WELL AS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LAB EQUIPMENT.

RULES OF USE FOR THE CS GRAD/UGRAD LABS, THEIR RELATED COMPUTERS, & GENERAL CS IT Services

1. Masks are now optional for all those using our labs. (updated Aug, 2022)
2. Eating is no longer allowed in the lab.
3. Absolutely no commercial software is to be installed on any of the CS Grad/Ugrad Lab-related computers, except by the CS IT Support Staff.
4. Any user-installed free/shareware must be installed within user’s own home directory and removed when done.
5. Tampering with current setups/configurations of the CS Grad or Ugrad Lab-related computers and furniture is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
6. People doing work for Computer Science courses will have priority over anyone else using the CS Grad or Ugrad Lab machines.
7. No foreign hardware (with the exception of USB thumb drives) is to be used with the CS Grad or Ugrad Lab machines or wall ports without the permission of the CS IT Support Staff.
8. No networked games (except for those required for class assignments on game software-writing) are to be played on any of the CS Grad or Ugrad lab computers. We define networked games as any real-time, graphics-based game played between two or more computers.
9. Admission to the CS Grad and Undergrad Labs is granted only to those persons who have legitimate Computer Science Department needs. These persons will have J-Card access.
10. Students will not allow any non-authorized persons into the CS Grad/Undergrad Labs. Only those who have Computer Science-authorized J-Card access will be allowed into these labs. All CS users should swipe their J-Card for entry to the CS Labs.
11. No bicycles allowed in the Computer Science Masters Lab or Undergrad Labs for any reason. Use the bicycle racks outside the building.
12. Users will clean up after themselves in the CS Computing Labs.
13. No propping the CS Undergrad Lab doors open unless authorized to do so by the CS office or CS IT staff.
14. The CS Ugrad Lab (Malone 122) and the Ugrad side of Malone G61 are both primarily for Undergrad students and for Grad/Masters course work as required. However, Grad/Masters students should utilize the Masters Lab side of Malone G61’s computers instead, whenever possible, and only use the Ugrad Lab computers as required. (Ugrad computers have home directory disk quotas. Grad/Masters computers do not.)
15. Users will not give out their passwords, nor will they allow others to use their personal accounts.
16. Course-specific Linux accounts issued to students will be deleted upon the completion of the course. This rule applies to Teaching Assistant accounts as well. If you need a personal Linux account, please apply for one. Details on the CS IT Support Wiki in the Accounts category.
17. Users will adhere at all times to any and all policies with regard to disk quotas. Users of the Ugrad Net Linux computers are limited to 10 gb of home directory disk space. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by e-mailing support@cs.jhu.edu
18. Any action which violates local, state, and/or federal laws and/or which violates JHU's Computing Ethics Policy is strictly prohibited.
19. Lock or logoff all machines before leaving the CS Grad or Ugrad Labs or any CS IT-managed system.
20. Locking any computing lab system for more than one hour (without prior authorization from CS IT Support) or leaving any machine that you are logged into unattended (and unlocked) by you is not permitted! You may be logged off regardless of what you are working on, and your account may be disabled. This is for both security purposes and to allow others to use the lab machines. See Screenlocking Policy in the CS Ugrad Labs and Masters Lab for more details

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE RULES MAY RESULT IN DENIAL OF ACCESS TO THE DEPARTMENTAL COMPUTING RESOURCES.

CASES INVOLVING VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAWS OR UNIVERSITY POLICIES MAY BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.