Introduction To Information and Instructional Technologies for Students

Welcome to Information and Instructional Technologies (IIT) at St. Olaf College. St. Olaf offers a campus-wide network of computing facilities that includes Macintoshes, PC-compatibles, and UNIX/Linux-based systems. IIT employs 23 full-time professionals specializing in consulting, electronics, networking, and programming.

1.0 Introduction

Although computers are located throughout campus, the hub of campus technology is located on Level 2 1/2 of the Rolvaag Library. The offices of Information and Instructional Technologies are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The IIT Helpdesk (Rolvaag 251) is open later most evenings. See Section 6 for more information.

You need to become familiar with the college's computing policies and regulations contained in Section 9 of this document. The use of St. Olaf's technology resources and facilities constitutes an agreement on the part of the user to obey these policies. Because IIT is always working to expand and improve technology resources and facilities, the information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

2.0 Electronic Mail

The college provides access to electronic mail free of charge to all St. Olaf students. In order to use e-mail, you must have a username and password. If you do not have them, stop by the Helpdesk (Rolvaag 251). You will be asked to show your Student ID.

You can access your St. Olaf e-mail from any place in the world with web access at http://gmail.stolaf.edu This connects you to the St. Olaf version of Gmail. (St. Olaf makes use of Google Apps for Education which includes Gmail.) Your St. Olaf e-mail address is the only one used for official college announcements, business, etc. so be sure to check it often.

E-mail addresses are listed in the St. Olaf Campus Directory. An electronic version of the campus directory is available via the World Wide Web; launch a browser and open the URL http://www.stolaf.edu/personal/ or click on the "People" links at the top of most pages.

3.0 The St. Olaf Web Site (www.stolaf.edu)

One of the most powerful information resources available at St. Olaf is the college's web site. Many departments, offices, organizations, and individuals at St. Olaf make information available via the web. The St. Olaf home page can be viewed at http://www.stolaf.edu/.

3.1 Personal Web Page

All students have the option of creating a personal web page or "home page." The URL of this page (when activated) is http://www.stolaf.edu/people/UserName/ where UserName is your St. Olaf username. You may activate your personal web page at Account Services (https://www.stolaf.edu/stobase/). Instructions for creating a web page are available at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/documentation/webpage/. You should be aware that any information you place on your personal web page is available to the entire world.

4.0 Residence Hall and Honor House Network Connections

Students who own their own computers can connect to the campus network in their rooms in all residence halls. Both wired and wireless connections are available in all residence halls.

The network jacks in the room are already activated; simply plug into one of the bottom wall jacks with the appropriate network cable for your residence hall. Please note that if you are in a room that does not have one network jack per person (particularly true for Thorson rooms and most triples) you can contact your hall Area Coordinator to check out a hub to use for the academic year.

For wireless connections, connect to the STOWLAN network/SSID.

Additional information, including information on the hardware needed and software installation instructions, is available on the web at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/resnet/.

5.0 Computing Resources

5.1 Public Labs

A chart of public computing equipment and locations is available online at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/documentation/equipment/

Public computing rooms are open during normal building hours. The hours of operation are normally posted near the outer doors to each building. Public rooms may be reserved from time to time for classes and workshops. Reserved times will be posted in the rooms in advance. To use a public Macintosh or PC-compatible computer, you will need to use your St. Olaf username and password.

St. Olaf has over 265 networked Macintosh and PC-compatible computers available in public and residential hall labs for students, staff, and faculty to use. Additionally, students have access to hundreds of computers located in the academic department labs.

If your knowledge of computers is limited, IIT has a number of documents available on-line at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/documentation/ to assist you in learning the basics of using a computer here at St. Olaf.

5.2 Centralized Network Services

Centralized computing services (including the World Wide Web, electronic mail, and network printing) are managed by several UNIX, Linux, and Windows systems. All are connected to the campus-wide, fiber-optic network. From your computer or from a lab machine, you will have access to e-mail, the Web, public printers for academic use, free software installs (such as web browsers, network utilities, and program updates), shared applications, class materials, and personal network storage space.

IIT offers personal network storage on stofiles.stolaf.edu (a central file server). This personal space allows you to save up to 100 MB of data (word-processing files, spreadsheets, images, etc.) on the network server. The files are backed-up nightly and this service gives you access to your personal files from all computers connected to the St. Olaf network. More information about connecting to this server can be found at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/documentation/netfolders/.

Many professors are using the central servers to distribute class materials, facilitate collaborative projects, and collect electronic assignments via classes.stolaf.edu or via Moodle (the course management system found at http://moodle.stolaf.edu/). A class directory is automatically created for each class section. You are automatically granted access to those classes for which they are registered. Details regarding these features will be provided by your professor depending on which options s/he chooses to use.

5.3 Public Printers

Networked laser printers are available in many of the public computing labs and residence halls. St. Olaf provides each student with 550 free pages of printing on the public lab printers. Students are required to pay a fee if their printing use goes beyond the initial 550 pages. Public printer output is tracked for each student as part of the college’s effort to conserve resources. Please use the public printers conservatively and wisely. Instructions for connecting to and using the printers in an ecologically friendly way can be found at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/helpdesk/network-laser.html

Signs in the labs identify the names of the public printers and provide instructions for logging on in order to print.

5.4 Required Software

All computers connected to the St. Olaf network must have anti-virus software protection with a current update subscription. IIT provides Symantec Anti-Virus for free to St. Olaf students. This software is available via the IIT web site (http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/)

You also need to have anti-spyware software such as Ad-Aware, SpyBot Search & Destroy, or Windows Defender running on your machine. You should check your system at least twice a month for spyware.

Your computer also needs to have up-to-date security patches applied. This is particularly true of Windows-based computers as many viruses use security flaws to infect your computer and spread to others.

IIT has installed Symantec Anti-Virus on all college-owned computers and central file servers. Machines that are identified as having a virus will be removed from the campus network until the virus has been cleaned up.

5.5 Recommended Software

The campus software standard for word processing, spreadsheets, etc., is the Microsoft Office suite of software, which includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access (Access is available only on PCs). Public lab PCs run Office 2003. Public Macintosh computers run Office 2008. If you are purchasing software for your computer and wish to be consistent or compatible with software available at St. Olaf, IIT recommends buying one of the above suites. The St. Olaf Bookstore offers software at educational discounts.

5.6 Wireless Access

Wireless network access is available in all academic buildings. Connect to the STOWLAN network/SSID for access.

6.0 Helpdesk

The Helpdesk functions as a central help facility for students, faculty, and staff. The Helpdesk handles account requests (e-mail addresses), password changes, file conversions, network connections, and provides general assistance with computing problems and issues.

The IIT Helpdesk does not provide troubleshooting or repair services for personally owned hardware or software (e.g. personal scanner or printer setup, installing software, etc.) beyond assisting you to get your computer connected to the network or helping you with questions regarding St. Olaf supported software used in your courses.

During the academic year, the Helpdesk, located in Rolvaag Library 251, is open:

Day Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

You can also call the Helpdesk at x3830. When assistants are not on duty, your call will be routed to voicemail. Please leave a detailed message. You may also send e-mail to helpdesk@stolaf.edu to get an e-mail response to your questions.

Computer equipment and supplies are available for purchase through the St. Olaf Bookstore in the Buntrock Commons. Although IIT does not handle personal computer sales, we will be happy to advise you on makes and models. St. Olaf has arranged for student discounts on Apple Macs & HP PCs. Details can be found here.

7.0 Documentation

St. Olaf writes computing documents that simplify instructions and provide students and faculty with the specifics of computing at St. Olaf. IIT documents are available on the St. Olaf web site at http://www.stolaf.edu/services/iit/documentation/.

8.0 Workshops

IIT provides numerous free workshops and seminars for the entire St. Olaf community throughout the year on topics including spreadsheets, web page development, Photoshop, databases, etc. A listing of workshops can be found at http://www.stolaf.edu/apps/learn/. Workshops can also be arranged through your professors depending on the requirements in each class.

9.0 Summary of Policies and Procedures

9.1 Policy on Appropriate Use of Academic Computers

St. Olaf College provides computing and networking resources in order to meet the academic needs of students, faculty, and staff. Any actions which undermine this important college goal are subject to disciplinary review. Such acts include, but are not limited to, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials; facilitating others' use of the St. Olaf computing and network resources for unethical and illegal activities; tampering with others' accounts; wasting or damaging computer resources; breaking system security; degrading computer system performance; creating or posting material that is offensive, pornographic, libelous, or intended to harass. No students, faculty, or staff may use St. Olaf computers or networking resources for profit-making ventures. No employee or student may use St. Olaf computers or network on behalf of external organizations or persons unless such use is directly related to St. Olaf courses or to faculty research and professional development. Such actions constitute a violation of the social contract of the academic community as much as invasion of privacy, theft of property, misappropriation of ideas, or interference with others' rights.

St. Olaf College supports the 1987 statement on software and intellectual rights adopted by EDUCOM, a consortium of several hundred colleges and universities with active interest in the educational uses of computers:

Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution. Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community.

Students, faculty, and staff should also be aware that some types of computer abuse (notably intentional damage, unauthorized alteration or access to computer systems) are also violations of Minnesota and federal criminal codes, as is the unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials.

Use of St. Olaf computers and network resources is a privilege granted only to those who use these systems responsibly. This policy applies to students, faculty, and staff. Students suspected of abusing computers and network resources at St. Olaf will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. Such actions may involve review by an appropriate branch of the St. Olaf Judicial System (Student Judicial Council, College Judiciary, administrative hearings, or Honor Council), direct action by the Dean of Students, or referral to state or federal authorities. Penalties may include fines, suspension or revocation of computing and networking privileges, academic probation, or dismissal. Faculty suspected of abusing computers and network resources at St. Olaf will be referred to the Dean of the College for appropriate action. Staff suspected of abusing computers and network systems at St. Olaf will be referred to their supervisor for appropriate action.

In addition, the office of Information and Instructional Technologies reserves the right to suspend access to St. Olaf computing and networking systems to any student, faculty, or staff who is suspected of gross abuse of computer privileges (including but not limited to unauthorized copying of materials, facilitating others' in the use of the St. Olaf computing and network resources for unethical and illegal activities, tampering with others' accounts, wasting or damaging computer resources, breaking system security, degrading computer system performance, creating or posting of material that is offensive, pornographic, libelous, or intended to harass.). Such actions may be appealed to the Academic Computing Policy Board. (March, 2001)

9.2 Authorized Use

Use of the St. Olaf academic computers is limited to those persons identified below and is subject to the following standards of use:

St. Olaf Faculty, Staff, and Students: Any St. Olaf faculty, staff, or student, full-time or part-time, may use the St. Olaf academic computers for any academic purpose; personal use is also permitted, but only during non-peak use periods. No special permission is needed, nor are there any charges for use of computer time. However, no employee or student may use St. Olaf computers for profit-making ventures. No employee or student may use St. Olaf computers on behalf of external organizations or persons unless such use is directly related to St. Olaf courses or to faculty research and professional development.

St. Olaf Graduates: St. Olaf graduates may have limited access to St. Olaf academic computing systems for academic use for up to three months after leaving St. Olaf. IIT reserves the right to limit the amount of access and type of service provided.

Faculty Emeriti: St. Olaf faculty emeriti may have limited access to St. Olaf academic computing systems. IIT reserves the right to limit the amount of access and type of service provided.

9.3 Privacy

Employees of IIT (including certain student workers; for example, those having responsibilities associated with the servers maintained by IIT) have access to all information stored on St. Olaf servers. Such access is necessary in order for IIT employees to perform their duties, and is normally exercised only if the account owner specifically requests that the employee access the account, if such access is required to maintain system performance or security, or upon the request from the Dean of Students due to a probable violation of federal or state regulation or College policies or upon presentation of warrants, subpoenas, or court orders

9.4 IIT Regulations

9.4.1 General Regulations

St. Olaf College is not responsible for any fines or legal fees that may result from use or misuse of the St. Olaf computing systems.

Computer software and electronic transmissions of text and photographs are protected under the Copyright Act of 1976.

The use of the computing systems to harass or threaten others may result in the suspension of computing privileges as well as disciplinary action by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Users who tamper with system security, maliciously attempt to degrade system performance, or change or erase the work of others will lose their computing privileges and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Sharing accounts and passwords is not allowed. Users will be held responsible for activities taking place within or from their own accounts.

Food, beverages, and disruptive noise and behavior are not allowed in labs.

Users should not leave a computer unattended for more than 10 minutes or use any software to restrict others’ access to a public computer.

Users get 550 free pages of laser printer output; a $30.00 fee will be charged for a block of 550 additional pages if use goes beyond the first 550 pages.

Users may not load their own paper or envelopes in the St. Olaf public printers.

Users of public equipment are not allowed to make modifications to the software, hardware, or network configurations.

St. Olaf College provides computing resources for academic purposes. Some services available through commercial Internet Service Providers may not be available or are only available on a limited basis.

Users who consume large amounts of network bandwidth for personal or recreational use may lose their computing privileges and may have their network disconnected. This use may include, but is not limited to network gaming, downloading of music or video files, etc.

9.4.2 Additional Policies

In addition to the regulations and policies listed above, you need to be aware of the following policies:

Personal Computers and Disconnect Policy

Additional items may also be found in the Policies section of the IIT web space.

Back to Top | IIT Documentation