This policy seeks to clarify appropriate usage of the Hillsdale College computer network and digital communication systems. It should not be considered a comprehensive collection of all rules. Issues not addressed herein should not be deemed acceptable or lawful. Rather, the mission of the College to “furnish such moral, social, and artistic instruction and culture as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of the students” and to promote “intelligent piety” shall serve as the appropriate guideline.
Failure to uphold the Hillsdale College Honor Code and the policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines set forth by the College may result in disciplinary action ranging from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of expulsion. Many times, the severity of the consequence will be at a level between the minimum and the maximum, and the deans reserve the right to issue fines, community service, counseling, social probation, etc., as deemed appropriate. In all cases, an incident report will be filed in the deans’ offices.
User Accounts, Electronic Mail Accounts and File Storage Systems
General Information
- Respect the rights of other users to an open and hospitable computing environment. For example, threats, unauthorized disruptive actions, including but not limited to port scans and denial of service attacks are considered violations of the College’s Acceptable Use Policy for Students.
- Users must respect the integrity of computing and network systems. For example, users shall not intentionally circumvent established log-in mechanisms in any way, develop or use programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer, computing system, or network and/or damage or alter the software components of a computer, computing system, or network.
- Users must respect the privacy of others. For example, users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to others, or represent themselves as another user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user.
- Users must respect the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data. For example, making unauthorized copies of proprietary software or data, or offering unauthorized copies of proprietary software or data to others, or copying someone else’s files, or programs, or examining such information unless authorized is considered an illegal action and is prohibited.
Obtaining an Account
User accounts, electronic mail accounts, and file storage systems are provided as a service to Hillsdale College students, faculty, and staff. Account information is delivered as part of the admissions process, and can also be obtained by contacting the Information Technology Services Helpdesk.
These accounts are assigned to each individual, are his or her responsibility, and are not to be transferred or used by any other employee or student. Using another person’s account may be considered identity theft, and forged e-mails are considered infractions to this policy. Using College-provided computer accounts for commercial purposes, such as promoting by broadcast non-educational profit-driven products or services, is misuse of your account.
Account Basics
The e-mail address format for all college students, faculty and staff is [first initial][last name]@hillsdale.edu style. For example, James Johnson’s e-mail address would be jjohnson@hillsdale.edu.
In some cases, there may also be a number appended to an e-mail address such as jjohnson2@hillsdale.edu. Student e-mail accounts are restricted to a maximum of 100MB of storage space, including all e-mail messages and other information such as contacts, tasks and calendar entries. Personal data storage on Hillsdale College data storage systems should be kept under 1GB of total storage as well. ITS reserves the right to uphold or change these limits at any time to ensure operational availability of these systems. ITS will ensure changes are communicated to users in advance, whenever possible, to minimize disruption to instructional activities.
E-Mail Message Addressing (SPAM)
Please send mail only to those who wish to receive it. Mass mailings of non-emergency information are not acceptable. Mail that is general and informative in nature should be posted to the appropriate Public Folder in the Outlook folders list. Any unsolicited e-mail sent is viewed by users as SPAM. Chain letters and the like should not be forwarded to others.
Content Guidelines
Students are not necessarily responsible for the content of a message passed on by a person to whom they wrote, but the impression is that the student is one of the senders if his or her name appears in the “From” line. Students should be sure that those with whom they correspond will respect their confidence.
ITS will not condone accessing, saving, or printing of indecent, lewd, or obscene material with College-owned equipment. Upon infraction, students could lose computer privileges and access to their Hillsdale user accounts, including e-mail accounts. The Hillsdale College Regulations for Proper Student Conduct state students are subject to disciplinary action for “Disorderly conduct or lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on College-owned or College-controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.”
Be a Cybersecurity Guru
Password Security
Students may use only an assigned username and private password to log on to various College information technology services. Students should change their passwords often and use passwords or pass phrases consisting of at least 16 characters. All passwords are CAsE-seNsiTIve. In office settings, those who have a network account should lock their machines when they are away from their computer. In laboratory settings, upon finishing a computing session, make sure to log off the machine before departing. Both these features may be accessed by pressing the (Ctrl + Alt + Del) keys simultaneously before logging on to a Windows computer. Do not attempt to circumvent or alter any information technology service at Hillsdale College or elsewhere.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Your password is one unique form of authentication that only you should know. That means if someone with your username and password logs into a system, the system should be able to assume it is truly you who are logging in. Unfortunately, the potential for your username and password to be compromised (or hacked) is significant based on varying factors (password strength, system security, etc.). If your password falls into the hands of an unauthorized person, s/he can log in and impersonate you—the ramifications of which can be serious. Though this is frightening to consider, you can further protect your account access by adding another layer of security called multi-factor authentication (or “two-step verification”).
When you sign into an account that has multi-factor authentication enabled, you not only need to provide your username and password, but you also need a second form of authentication to prove it is you logging in to the account. At Hillsdale College, that second form of authentication is a code sent to your smartphone or an authentication app on your smartphone. (It is less likely an unauthorized user would have access to your phone.) Once you enter your username and password and then the code sent to your phone, you can log into the system, and the system is even more certain that it is truly you logging in.
All incoming students are required to set up multi-factor authentication upon Hillsdale College account creation. You should never disable MFA unless an authorized Hillsdale College ITS staff member assists you. Should you have any questions about this process or the security surrounding your account, please contact the ITS Help Desk at (517) 607-2566 or helpdesk@hillsdale.edu.
Lab Use
Lab hours are posted on the ITS website and outside each lab. Posted hours are guides to general time availability.
NOTE: The Eaton, Graphics and Lane Computer Labs may be used as teaching classrooms. When class is in session, the lab will not be available for general student use. Posted hours are guides to general time availability; however, a class may choose to meet any time, day or night, with or without notice.
Infractions
The Information Technology Services Office handles significant infractions in conjunction with the deans’ offices. The College may choose to initiate disciplinary measures at any time. It is the student’s responsibility to review updated policies, such as the Acceptable Use Policy for Students. Failure to do so places no responsibility on Information Technology Services or Hillsdale College.
Useful Technology for Students to Bring to College
Students often find it helpful to possess technology that is compatible with the information technology systems at Hillsdale College. While not required as a prerequisite to attend Hillsdale College, students will benefit from these types of technology during their time as a student:
- A modern laptop computer running the latest Windows or Macintosh operating system
- A "smart phone," such as an Apple iPhone or Android phone capable of receiving SMS text messages and connecting to standard WiFi networks
- A webcam and microphone to participate in video conferencing meetings with professors and fellow students
- A method to perform routine backup of a personal computer, such as a cloud-based backup service or an external USB hard drive to ensure recovery of files in the event of a computer or hard drive failure
- While students may print documents in College labs using a lab computer, many students find it more convenient to bring a personal printer to use in their residence.
Questions
Information Technology Services is pleased to provide Hillsdale College students, faculty and staff with high-quality computer support services. If at any time students have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact ITS Administrative Offices at helpdesk@hillsdale.edu, (517) 607-2566.
Internet Service Provider
Merit Inc. is Hillsdale College’s Internet service provider (ISP). Hillsdale College is an affiliate member of that organization. As part of this relationship we, and those we permit to connect “to MichNet in order to use the Michigan statewide network or any other networks which are used as a result of their MichNet Connection,” are expected to comply with Merit’s Acceptable Use Policy, Conditions of Use Policy and Privacy Policy and “the stated purposes and Acceptable Use policies of any other networks or hosts used.” As an affiliate organization, we are responsible for the “activity of (our) users” and expect compliance with these policies at minimum and further compliance with other standards and policies that clarify responsible behavior specific to your association with Hillsdale College.