Open Access Lab Rules

These rules are established for the CSULA Open Access Labs to ensure a pleasant and productive computing environment for all students to accomplish their academic goals. Each student is responsible for reading, understanding and complying with these rules. If students do not comply with these rules, computing privileges at CSULA may be suspended or revoked.

Students are responsible for their network/email account. Use of the network/email account for any illegal purposes related to data, computers, programs, systems, downloading, website visiting, networks or documentation is prohibited. Student violations are reported to the Judicial Affairs Officer for disciplinary or legal action review.

Appropriate Use

  • The computers in the Open Access Labs are provided for educational purposes and work associated with CSULA or the California State University system. Acceptable uses include class assignments, academic research and email.
  • University computers and accounts may not be used for business or private activities.
  • Transmitting or receiving obscene, offensive or discriminatory information is prohibited. For example, messages defaming ethnic or religious groups are both offensive and discriminatory.
  • Transmitting fraudulent or threatening information is just as libelous as the same information in print form.

Assistance (Help)

  • Lab consultants can answer basic questions about the operation of the equipment and the use of lab software.
  • Lab consultants are not permitted to help students with anything related to homework.
  • Students can receive assistance at the counter. If it is inconvenient to go to the counter, please raise your hand. However, students may have to wait because a lab consultant is required to remain behind the counter at all times.
  • Be patient and courteous when asking questions.

Children

  • Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times; children may not be left unattended. The supervision, safety and security of children are the sole responsibilities of the responsible adult. The OAL staff assumes no responsibility for the safety of children in the lab. The Department of Public Safety will be contacted immediately if children are left in the lab unaccompanied by an adult.
  • The responsible adult will be asked to immediately remove children if they are disruptive or distracting other users or staff members.
  • The responsible adult must be alert and monitor all activities and behavior of all children they bring into the lab.
  • The responsible adult is responsible for any act of vandalism (e.g., cutting, tearing, defacing or destroying books, equipment, furniture or the facility).
  • Lab consultants have the right to request that the responsible adult and children leave the premises if any of these rules are not followed.

Closing

  • The lab consultant will announce closing one hour before the lab closes and every 15 minutes thereafter. A final 5-minute warning will be given before the lab closes.
  • Save all work.
  • The lab is not responsible for any loss of data or print jobs.

Eating or Drinking

  • Food and beverages are not permitted in any CSULA Open Access Lab.
  • Bottled water must remain in book bags.

Equipment

  • Do not attempt to repair or disassemble any lab equipment.
  • Students are responsible for reporting any suspected misuse of equipment or software to a lab consultant.

Games

  • Playing games in any form is prohibited in the Open Access Labs.

Guests

  • The Open Access Labs provide computing resources for CSULA students, faculty and staff. Guests are not permitted to use the computers.

Hacking

  • “Hacking” is strictly forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Deleting, altering or damaging a computer or one of its components.
    • Copying or deleting application software from a computer.
    • Using or copying data belonging to another student from a computer or printer.
    • Inserting a virus into a computer or network.

Hardware/Software

  • Do not install any hardware or software onto the computer.
  • Do not install or run personal applications.
  • Do not change the computer configuration.
  • Do not modify the system settings.

Hours

  • The hours of each Open Access Lab vary depending on the location and the services required for each quarter. Hours are subject to change without notice.
  • A current student One Card ID and network/email account are required to use any Open Access Lab.

Lost Items

  • Personal belongings left in the lab are placed in a lost and found box at the lab counter.
  • Unclaimed One Cards are taken to University Police at the end of each quarter.

Manuals

  • Manuals are available for check-out at the lab counter.
  • Manuals are for in-lab use only.
  • Do not remove manuals from the lab.

Network/Email Accounts

  • Safeguard passwords at all times.
  • Use a password that cannot be easily guessed. Passwords should contain upper and lower case letters, numbers and non-alphanumeric characters. Never use names, dictionary words, public or personal information (e.g., SSNs, hobbies, TV shows, ATM or credit card numbers, phone number, birth date, pet’s names, etc.).
  • Do not disclose or share a user ID and password with others.
  • Do not use a user ID and password that is assigned to someone else.

Printing

  • For printing problems, contact the lab consultant. Do not try to fix the problem.
  • Help conserve valuable resources. Do not print large files or multiple copies of the same document unless it is absolutely necessary.

Save Notice

  • Please remember to save your work frequently to your personal storage devices. Any unsaved data will be lost when you log off.
  • The lab is not responsible for any loss of data.

Signing In

  • Check in at the counter and present a valid One Card ID to the lab consultant. The consultant will assign a computer.
  • The assigned computer cannot be transferred to another student.
  • Computers are forfeited if left unattended for more than 15 minutes.

Signing Out

  • Recycle paper by placing it in the appropriate container.
  • Put trash in a wastebasket.
  • Pick up personal belongings.
  • Turn in the computer ID card at the counter.

Smoking

  • Smoking or tobacco use is prohibited in any OALs.

Students with Disabilities

  • All computers in the OALs are equipped with adaptive resources.
  • In the event of a waiting list, the wheelchair accessible station will be assigned as soon as available and the student’s number is called.

Telephone

  • The telephone is reserved for lab use only and is not available for personal calls.

Theft

  • Do not leave personal belongings unattended. The lab is not responsible for stolen items.

Viruses

  • It is illegal to knowingly introduce a virus into a CSULA computer.
  • A computer is available in the lab to check personal storage disks for viruses.

Waiting List

  • A waiting list is established when all the computers are being used.
  • If no computers are available, take a number from the dispenser. Note: If you have already been assigned a computer and subsequently take a number, the number will not be honored.
  • Individuals on the waiting list must be present when the number is called. If not present, the computer will be assigned to the next number. Returning individuals must take a new number.
  • If there is a waiting list and the wheelchair accessible station is not being used, that computer may be assigned to a student without disabilities. If a student with a disability arrives and needs the wheelchair accessible station, the following will occur. The student with a disability will be given a number from the dispenser. When that number is called, the student currently on the wheelchair accessible station will be moved to the available computer. The disabled student will be assigned to the wheelchair accessible station.
  • Computers are assigned for a maximum of two hours when there is a waiting list.