Technology Policy and Procedures for the College of Education
Revised September 2005.
Hardware and Software Purchases for Departments and Offices
As we rely increasingly on technology for communication, record keeping and data gathering, the College benefits from efforts to keep our hardware and software as uniform as possible and from cost savings realized as a result of bulk purchasing and license agreements. As a result, all requests for purchases of hardware and software should be made through the Director of Information and Instructional Technology (Lori Bailey) who will advise departments and individual faculty about technology that will meet their needs
Office Computers - Hardware
Each faculty member is entitled to a new desktop computer every five years. To facilitate support, faculty will be offered a standard system configuration in-line with the current recommendations by Computer Services. Requests for non-standard hardware, including different brands/models, alternate or additional peripherals, or additional memory or storage will be approved by the Director only when shown necessary to conduct research or for the advancement of technology use in the classroom.
Grants, Research, and Special Projects - Hardware
Hardware requested for grants, research, or other special projects will also be review by the Director to insure requests meet the needs of the project and to assess any support and maintenance that will be required of the College as a result of the purchase. Where possible, special hardware requests will also confirm with standard configurations established for Office computers.
Office Computers - Software
Each faculty and staff work station is provided with the following software: an operating system (Windows XP), virus software (Symantec) and the latest available version of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher, and Outlook).
For additional security, Computer Services also recommends each user download and enable/install the following free software:
- Microsoft AntiSpyware
- Ad-Aware
- Spybot S&D
- AVG Anti-Virus
- Stinger
Most users will also want to download and install these free tools:
- Adobe Reader
- An alternate browser (Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, Safari)
Managing Software Licenses
For the past several years, various colleges and departments within Temple University have been audited for compliance with the University's Software Policy. Therefore, the College must be diligent in managing software use and distribution and maintain detailed documentation. In the coming months, the College will move toward a centralized database to store and track available licenses. However, until a system is in place and all software purchased prior to its establishment is in place, each individual user is considered fully responsible for insuring that all installed software is accompanied by the appropriate and current license agreement.
The unlicensed duplication or use of any software program is illegal and can expose both you and the University to civil and criminal penalties under copyright law. The following excerpt from the Temple University Software Policy, clarifies the potential consequences of using unlicensed software:
Any user who violates the Software Policy will be subject to (i) suspension or revocation of his/her computer account, (ii) disciplinary action as described in the Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures including suspension, dismissal, or expulsion, (iii) disciplinary procedures of Temple University under the relevant policies and rules for faculty, staff, administration, and students including suspension or termination of employment (employees), and/or (iv) civil or criminal prosecution under federal and/or state law. Noncompliance with certain provisions of the Software Policy may also constitute a violation of federal and/or state law. Penalties under such laws include fines, orders of restitution, and imprisonment.
The Software Policy applies to all software acquired by or on behalf of Temple University and all software (however acquired) used on Temple University resources. Each user is individually responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to the Software Policy, Computer Usage Policy and all licenses, notices, and agreements in connection with software, which he or she acquires, copies, transmits, or uses.
Temple University's Software Policy and Computer Usage Policy and a number of resources available to assist you in understanding software licensing and ensuring compliance with these policies including Instructional Course on Software Licensing and Related General Copyright Law and Software Management and Compliance Guidelines are located online at: http://www.temple.edu/terms.
Hardware and Software Purchases for Classrooms and Labs
Requests for New Software
In January 2006, Computer Services openend the new Tech Center - student technology center open 24/7 with the latest in technology and digital media equipment.. To support this new resource, President Adamany has asked each College to insure that any and all software used in the classroom or student labs is made available in the Tech Center. Thus, faculty can no longer request software titles installed for a particular class meeting or on a limited basis in a classroom or lab, unless additional licenses are made available for the Tech Center. In addition, all software must be compliant with the Tech Center operating systems. For this reason, additional software titles for classrooms and the ECC (and corresponding licenses for the Tech Center) will not be approved, unless:
- Specific functionality provided by the new software cannot be replicated in our current software,
- AND the specific functionality cannot be replicated using readily available freeware or shareware.
- UNLESS a particular title is understood as the predominant choice across a wide-spectrum of institutions (e.g., a majority of educational institutions decide to switch from Word to Wordperfect as the primary word processing tool. Even though duplicate functionality is available in Word, the College would follow with the prevailing consensus). Given that, if two or more titles are requested that duplicate functionality (and no specialized functionality is understood to exist with any particular title), then the College would give priority to the more prevalent title, as determined by the Director's Office in consultation with the ECC Coordinator.
- ALL new software purchased must be complaint with the most current operating system available in the classroom or lab and be supported by the Tech Center configuration. Software supported under key-server deployment will also receive precedence.
Getting Approval for New Software
New software requests for classrooms or labs should be submitted in writing to the Director's Office. Requests will be evaluated first by the Director's Office, in consultation with the ECC Coordinator, for compliance with these standards. The Director's Office will then work in consultation with Faculty Advisors identified as specialists in the field related to its purpose to evaluate the perceived/potential added value to students and instructions.
Advancing Teaching through Technology
The College will offer peripherals, laptops, new software and other technology as incentives to faculty who integrate technology into their teaching. The Director will be available to assist faculty interested in using technology more effectively in their teaching. For more information, see Classroom Technology Support Services.
Office Technology Maintenance and Repairs
Getting Help: 1-8000
One reason for bringing our systems in line with other Temple departments and programs is to insure that Computer Services can offer full support for your office computers. Thus, for problems with office computers, including access to email or the internet, corrupt or problem files or programs, or error messages and system failures, your FIRST call should be to the Computer Services Help Desk (204-8000 or 1-8000). During peak times, such as the start of the semester (particularly Fall semester), you may expect a response in 48-72 hours. All other times, the Help Desk usually offers same day or next day response.
Walk-in Help
For immediate assistance, laptop users and users with access issues (email, network, etc.) may also take advantage of the Help Desk walk-in service located on the ground floor of the Tech Center in the existing Bell Building on 12th St. and Montgomery Avenue.
Resolving Delays or Continued Problems
If Computer Services does not resolve your issue or does not respond within the time frames identified above, you may ask the Director to intercede on your behalf. You will be asked to provide copies or records of correspondence with the Help Desk.
Your Responsibilities
Faculty and staff are expected to help maintain their hardware and software.
Maintaining Your Hardware
- Hardware should be securely placed to avoid damage and wires and cables should be stored out of walkways and work areas.
- Never open your system or alter or remove any factory installed hardware - doing so may void the warranty.
- Avoid placing liquids on or near equipment and use covered or self-closing containers.
- Periodic dusting will help extend the life of your electronics.
Maintaining Your Software
- Keep your system up-to-date. Enable automatic updates for Windows and be sure your virus definitions are current. Periodically "check for updates" in Microsoft Office and your other software programs.
- Avoid non-standard software. Freeware and shareware titles are more likely to include viruses and spyware along with their installations. This includes screen savers, desktop themes, backgrounds, and other software used to customize the look of your desktop.
- If you must install freeware or shareware, be sure to clean your system after installation. Run Ad-Aware or other anti-spyware program to remove any spyware installed. Start a full system virus scan.
- Know your source. Only download software from trusted sources. For instance, CNET's Download.com ( www.download.com) recently committed to insuring that all hosted software is "Spyware free."
Loaner Equipment: Classroom and Research
Classroom Media and Software
Instructional Support Services provides a variety of technology, including "Smart Carts" and other media, as well as software for use in the classroom. Early reservations are appreciated (at least two weeks in advance). For more on requesting classroom equipment, see Classroom Technology Support Services.
Laptops
A number of laptops are being purchased and will be available for faculty to borrow when traveling to conferences or meetings. They can be reserved through the Director. Faculty wishing to learn particular programs should speak with the Director about arranging a tutorial.
Other Equipment
Document cameras are being purchased and will be available for classroom use. Other hardware purchased by various departments and no longer in regular use will be collected by the Director and offered for classroom use and research. Faculty who wish to acquire new or experimental technology to "try out" in the classroom should contact the Director with a proposal. Following the trial implementation, equipment not adopted for regular classroom use will be added to the loaner pool for other applications.
Contact Information
Lori Bailey
Director of Informational and Instructional Technology
College of Education
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Ritter Annex 232
(215) 204-6263
lori.bailey@temple.edu