Policy - Alexandria Business Technology Center :: Northern Virginia Community College

Lab Policies:

It is the USER'S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain and remember this information:

The use of NOVA computer resources is a privilege. It is not a right.
Be respectful of other lab users, lab equipment and area at all times in the computer labs.
Each account is assigned to a single individual who is responsible for all computer usage under that account. Sharing computer accounts is not permitted. Do not leave your computer logged in unattended. When activity is alleged or detected that breaks any NOVA policy, NOVA will pursue the owner of that account.
Access to the computers or computer-related equipment in the computer labs is limited to current NOVA students and faculty/staff members with valid STUDENT ID cards. Visitors may use the labs as part of officially sanctioned college events.
The computer labs are heavily used facilities. Other users may consider computers unattended for more than 15 minutes available for use.
All noise levels such as talking, music, muffled headphone noise, etc in the OPEN LAB should be kept to a minimum so that others are not disturbed. The open computer labs are to be used as a study environment.
Loud, abusive language or profanity for any reason WILL NOT BE tolerated and may cause DISMISSAL from the center.
Users are to clean up the area around the computer they used as they leave. This includes making sure all removable storage is removed from the computer and any unwanted paper is placed in the recycle bin.
Lab staff on duty will be available to advise users with computer problems and how to do computer related tasks, but are not available to assist with users’ academic work or other college-related tasks and cannot do computer work on the users' behalf.
To respect the privacy of other users; for example, users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, tapes, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent others, unless explicitly authorized to do so by those users.
Consumption of food or beverages in the BTC in PROHIBITED.
Place trash in the proper containers & unwanted white paper in the recycle boxes located under each printer.
Children and pets are not allowed in the BTC.
Students are not permitted to install, modify or delete any software on lab computers. Software that comes with textbooks need to gain permission from the lab assistants before installing the software.
All Equipment in the computer labs are not to be removed, modified, relocated, or disassembled without permission from Lab Supervisors.
Recreational use of computers is not permitted. Example: Recreational Web-surfing, recreational emial, chatting, games, etc.
Problems with computer lab equipment are to be reported to the lab personnel immediately.
Computers are available to students only during open computer lab hours of operation and when no classes are scheduled in the room. Computers are available on a first come first serve bases.
By using any computer in the computer labs at NOVA, you agree to abide by this policy.

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Internet and Network Policies

Use of the Internet is for course related and research work only.
Internet access is provided for educational use, visiting sites (viewing or printing) of inappropriate nature or that may be considered offensive by other individuals is not considered acceptable use of this service at NOVA.
Sending/Posting harassing messages or repeatedly sending/posting unwanted messages (electronic or paper) to others is prohibited.
You may not connect any personal computer equipment to the college network without prior authorization from NOVA IT Staff.
You may not attempt to intercept, analyze, record or tamper with network data packets.
NOVA Computing Resources may not be used for illegal or disruptive purposes. Examples of illegal or disruptive purposes include, but are not limited to:
- Intentional harassment of other users.
- Intentional destruction of or damage to equipment, software or data belonging to NOVA or other users.
- Intentional disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
- Intentional denial of services to users.
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Using the Computers

The computers in the Center may only be used for COLLEGE RELATED TASKS AND ACTIVITIES.
You may NOT use NOVA Computer Account for any business practices and you may NOT use your email address as a business address.
Do not change any of the software or hardware configurations under ANY circumstances.
Excessive printing at once or over the course of the semester is not permitted.
Students are not permitted to save material on the hard drives in the open lab.
Reproduction of any copyrighted material ( software, music, video, books, photographs, etc) is prohibited and will be dealt with as according to U.S. Copyright Laws.
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Storage of Personal Data

User data files should be saved on floppy disks, removable devices or your Personal Storage Space on the network, NOT on the C: drive. The hard drives are wiped clean in the open lab every day.
Data stored in the Personal Storage Space will be deleted when your account expires. It is your responsibility to back up your data before your account expires.
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PRINTING

Printing is not allowed during any open lab session.
Printing may be done on a PAY system in the Open Computer Center in Room 155.
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POLICY ENFORCEMENT

The College regards any violation of these policies as a serious offense. Violators of these policies are subject to College disciplinary action as prescribed in the student, faculty and employee handbooks. Offenders may be prosecuted under the terms described in such laws (but not limited to) as the Privacy Act of 1974, PL 93-579, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, 18 USC Section 1030, the Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, HR5061, HR 55, (amendments to 18 USC, Section 1030), Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, 18 USC Section 2314 and Aiding and Abetting, 18 USC Section 2 and Virginia Computer Crimes Act,VA Article 7.1. It should be understood that this policy statement does not preclude prosecution of cases involving criminal misconduct under the laws and regulations of the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America.
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DISCLAIMER

The BTC shall not be liable for the users’ inappropriate use of the College electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions, users’ mistakes or negligence or costs incurred by users. The BTC shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of usability of any information found on the Internet. The BTC does not make any warranties, whether express or implied with respect to any services provided by the system(s) and any information or software contained therein.
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