Student Life
Accessing Computer Services
3.1 What public access for computing is available to students?
More than 125 open-access computing labs are located all across
campus; operating systems include Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers; most labs have printers; and all have a
wide range of software. Some additional labs with specialized resources are available in departments and colleges.
Hours vary by lab; specifics are available online in the labs
database.
Iowa State has been ranked as one of the top "unwired colleges" in the country. Wireless network access
is available in all of Iowa State's central campus green space, an area covering more than 50 acres, and in
more than 80 campus buildings. Included are several dining areas. Map of coverage areas: http://www.it.iastate.edu/wireless/
3.2 Does the institution provide institutional email accounts for all students and use email as an official medium
of communication?
All Iowa State University students are eligible for a university Net-ID and email account at no charge. Account
registration is typically done before or at orientation, or soon after a student's arrival on campus. The Iowa
State account is considered to be the official university email address, and is the one to which news,
announcements, and updates will be sent. Mail forwarding can be set up to forward to another account if you
wish.
Faculty rely on email and other interactive electronic media for communicating directly with the entire class and
individual students, and for facilitating communication among teams of students. Student services offices use email
to distribute news and to remind students of important deadlines. Email use is governed by the university's
Code of Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use.
3.3 Does the institution provide and support electronic space for personal student Webpages?
Each student has one gigabyte (1 GB) of space allotted, at no charge, in which they can build their own websites. Most of the 16,000+ personal homepages on the Iowa State public web servers have been created by students. Additional space is available at a very modest fee.
3.4 Is network bandwidth limited for peer-to-peer software, gaming, Web cams, or other programs requiring high
levels of network services?
Priority for the use of information technology resources is given to activities related to the university's
missions of teaching, learning, research, and outreach. Users are prohibited from engaging in any activity illegal
under local, state, federal, or international law or in violation of university policy.
Specific limitations are not imposed on activities, as long as such activities comply with the university's
Code of Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use Policy.
3.5 Is there a campus code of behavior about using computer resources?
The Code of Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use Policy provides for access to information technology (IT) resources and communications networks within a culture of openness, trust, and integrity. In addition, Iowa State University is committed to protecting itself and its students, faculty, and staff from unethical, illegal, or damaging actions by individuals using these systems.
3.6 Does the campus have policies addressing peer-to-peer file sharing, computer viruses, and copyright
violations?
Allowing others to access copyright-protected material through file sharing (via computer option or peer-to-peer
software) is considered an illegal use of university computing facilities. Offenders face the risk not only of
legal sanctions, but disciplinary action by the university and suspension or termination of computing
services.
All members of the university community have access to anti-virus software at no charge through a university site
license. Compromised computers are blocked from network access.
Connecting with Others
3.7 Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically?
Contact information in the online Iowa State phone directory for a student includes phone number, email address, department, university address, and classification as available within privacy and non-disclosure options. For faculty and staff members, the directory provides, when available, an office and home phone number, office and home address, email address, fax number, and department, consistent with privacy and non-disclosure options.
3.8 Are there Websites for student organizations and clubs?
The Government of the Student Body provides funding for the student organizations website. Iowa State has 500+ student organizations, and most of them list their activities and services online to promote their clubs and keep members informed.
3.9 Does the campus make online communities available (for example, forums, bulletin boards, and so forth)?
Learning communities often include an online discussion group and/or a website. Or, students can create a discussion forum by setting up a mailing list, using university-provided tools. Discussion forums are also available within WebCT, an online course management system.
3.10 What technology-supported career-planning services are available to students?
Career Services at Iowa State is a coordinated network of office with a broad range of programs and services. Online information is available at http://www.career.iastate.edu/.
