Official University Policy Manual

File code: ADM.CAMPNET.POL
Approval Date: 12/5/01
Approved By: President

Campus Network Policy

Terminals, Microcomputers, and Peripheral Devices

  1. Administrative units contemplating the acquisition of terminals, microcomputers, or any other devices, with the intention of attaching them to University computers or the local area network must do the following:
    1. Inform Information Management Services (for mainframe terminals) or Computer Support Services (LAN) in advance as early as possible so that they may work with you to accomplish your goals.
    2. Secure and provide to Information Management Services or Computer Support Services specifications for the device(s) to be acquired so that compatibility with existing hardware and software can be assured; usually a factual "product brief" will be sufficient.
    3. Be prepared to pay charges necessary to connect device(s), including software, telecommunications costs and necessary interfaces.
    4. Secure clear assurance from the prospective vendor that he will contractually promise positive cooperation in a multi-vendor environment and that he will propose, in writing, specific solutions for interfacing the proposed units in the present environment. Information Management Services will deal with the prospective vendor if requested to do so.
  2. Permission to attach to the LAN assumes that the user is able to support fully the needs this device is intended to serve.
    1. There is no implied support from Information Management Services or Computer Support Services, especially for systems development and programming without previous consultation.
    2. There is no implied permission to access University data bases, files, records, etc. This must be secured in the traditional way consistent with Federal and State legislation, and with outstanding University policies.

The University Mainframe

Permission to attach to the mainframe will normally be granted if:

  1. There is no technical problem involved.
  2. There is no extra expense to Information Management Services or Computer Support Services at the time or in the foreseeable future.
  3. There is no deleterious effect on the system or on other users. These effects would include worsened response, degraded turnaround, degraded throughput or an undue claim on resources such as channel time, disk space, main storage space, buffers, etc.
  4. The usage is consistent with future plans.

Wireless Access Points

  1. The assigned name for all WIU access points will be "wiuwirelesslan" (all letters in lowercase.)
  2. WIU wireless uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 Ghz Industrial/Scientific/Medical (ISM) band. WIU wireless technology within that band conforms to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) wireless LAN specification. Certain other wireless devices exist in the marketplace that employ the same 2.4 Ghz frequency band and may interfere with wireless networks on campus. Consequently, Computer Support Services reserves the right to ban or limit the use of 2.4 Ghz devices that interfee with the operation of the university's wireless networks.
  3. All access points will run with signal encryption turned off. Secure communications will use standard data encryption provided by the university's approved web browsers.
  4. New wireless access points must be approved by the Director of Computer Support Services before being connected to the campus network. The Director will be responsible for keeping an inventory of all wireless access points connected to the WIU net.

Coordination with Other Departments

  1. The Physical Plant must be consulted in advance to determine if there are special electrical, environmental (air-conditioning, heating, humidity), janitorial, mechanical or other needs.
  2. The Office of Public Safety must be consulted if there are security problems.
  3. Document & Publication Services must be consulted if telephone lines, modems, multiplexors or the like may be required (regarding budget line items).
  4. Consult Document & Publication Services if campus mail or word processing is involved.
  5. Consult appropriate director if Board approval may be necessary.
  6. The Human Resources Office must be consulted if there are possible position upgrades/additions associated.
  7. The Internal Auditing Office must be consulted. New systems/applications and material changes in existing programs must be tested prior to being placed into production for internal controls and security purposes.