MassArt Homepage | Library Homepage | Library Catalog
kjs

Computer Lab Policy


Introduction | Policy | Lab Assistance | Printing | Lab Priority Use | Scanning Station, Assistive Technology Workstation, and eMac | Contact Information | Lab Assistance | Recreational Use | Lab Check-in Procedure | Closing Time

Introduction

The purpose of the Library Computer Lab is to provide a technical research environment where MassArt students may get support and assistance in reaching their educational objectives. All computers in the Library are for academic, instructional, research, administrative and public service purposes. MassArt and Morton R. Godine Library are pleased to be able to make the Library computer lab available for patron’s use and invites their cooperation in helping to keep it functioning at an optimal level of effectiveness.

Policy

  1. The Library computer lab provides an open academic research environment where students, staff and faculty can access scholastic information.
  2. General College and Library Policies also apply to the computer lab. Such policies include, but are not limited to: noise, conduct, and food and drink policies. In addition, permitted beverages must be kept on the floor or otherwise away from keyboards, CPU’s and monitors.
  3. The computer lab aims to provide basic, functional computer services for individuals who may not have access to such technology at home or elsewhere.
  4. Saving of personal data on the hard drives of Library lab machines is not supported. All data saved on the hard drive is done at the user’s own risk. Lab users are encouraged to bring their own floppy diskettes for saving personal data - diskettes are not provided by the Library lab.
  5. Users will be given assistance, guidance, and basic troubleshooting help with technical problems related to their assignments and academic tasks.
  6. Library computer lab users shall be responsible for their own possessions, and belongings. The Library and its staff are not responsible for items lost or stolen while using the computer lab.
  7. Computers are not to be used for commercial gain.
  8. Only academic applications are supported on lab machines.
  9. All computer lab users must show respect for the lab facility and other users when printing, especially from the Internet. Printing is limited to what is deemed necessary for class assignments by library staff.
  10. Users shall inform lab staff if equipment malfunctions and shall refrain from attempting to make repairs.

Lab Assistance

Library staff is available to assist lab users with electronic media, hardware and software issues during Library hours. Lab users are referred to handouts located at the help desk for file translation and e-mail tasks. Library staff shall assist with basic applications, Internet and printing questions.

Printing on Envelope and Special Paper

All paper used in laser printer(s) must be laser printer compliant. Special hand-made papers or unusual non-laser type paper are not permitted.

Computer Lab priority use

The Morton R. Godine library computer lab facilities have been established for the educational benefit of the students of Massachusetts College of Art + Design. The following covers questions individuals may have about their rights as users of the computer equipment in the Morton R. Godine library computer labs and can be used to determine priority: Priority for use of equipment in the library computer facilities at MassArt will be administered on a space available basis for educational purposes using the following system:
  • 1st Priority - MassArt students with current ID who require the use of lab computers to complete their course assignments, grant applications, or other academic activities.
  • 2nd Priority - MassArt students with current Student ID.
  • 3rd Priority - Consortium students with current Student ID.
  • 4th Priority - Alumni creating job applications.
  • 5th Priority - Members of the general non-MassArt community and non-profit community groups (e.g. local schools, senior centers, museums, etc.) by arrangement on a project by project basis.
If a special session is conducted during hours of operation, other MassArt staff and students are welcome to use resources not being used provided they are not disruptive. The person hosting the special session has the authority to ask anyone to leave the lab if they disturb the session

Priority of Use for Specialized Equipment: Scanning Station, Assistive Technology Workstation and eMac (CD burning)

In addition to the standard computer setup, the lab has three specially configured workstations: ? The Scanning station is for scanning. Computers in the image processing labs are to be used for Photoshop projects. ? The Assistive Technology PC is equipped with Voice Recognition software for students needing Voice Recognition support to do their work. ? The eMac workstation is for CD-burning. Users requiring the abilities of these computers function will be given priority if there is more than one user needing to use the computer.

Recreational Use

Internet Relay Chat, and in most cases, e-mail are not considered course-related activities. If the computer lab begins to fill up, time limits will be set for Internet Relay Chat and e-mail use. If the computer lab is full, recreational computer users will be asked to vacate their computer stations to allow other students to complete class assignments.

Computer Lab Check-In Procedure

The computer lab is available for the use of MassArt students and the greater MassArt community. At the discretion of the lab staff, users may be asked for ID cards when entering lab facility, or at some later time. The staff member will use the information on the card to verify user’s enrollment at MassArt (or one of our consortial affiliates). Other general lab users will be given privileges on a priority basis according to the criteria listed above. (see “computer lab priority use”). If lab users have reserve media (e.g. CD-ROMS), their cards shall be kept until they check out of the lab.

Closing Time

Library staff shall give lab users two official fair warnings to finish up work, one at (30) minutes before closing, and the other at (15) minutes before closing. Users shall be ready to leave at the posted library closing time. In order to avoid the last minute printing rush, lab users will begin printing at least 30 minutes before closing time. In the event individuals are reluctant to quit as requested, lab staff may switch printer(s) and computers off after giving further warning if necessary. People will be reminded to finish working before machines are turned off.

Contact Information

Any Computer Lab questions may be directed to Leslie Everett or another available staff member.

Leslie Everett
Public Services
Phone: (617) 879-7106
Fax: (617) 879-7110
E-mail: leverett@massart.edu.


Last Updated 11/2003
Prepared by Godine Library Public Services