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Computer Accounts | General Computer Use Policy | Electronic Mail | Purchasing Computer Hardware and Software | Training | Getting Help | Lab Facilities | Internet Connectivity | Olin's Web site | Other Resources

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Computer Accounts

Everyone in the Olin Business School is given a username and password. This username and password actually works as your account on several systems.

Olin's LAN - the Olin domain includes several PC file and print servers. Whenever you work on a computer connected to the Olin Business School's network, you will need to log in with this account name and password. Typically, the username is your last name appended with the first (or more to be unique) letter of your first name. These accounts are good for your entire time at Olin. (for more information on account expiration see Account Deletion)

Each student is given several megabytes of disk storage space in a folder on one of the Olin servers - WUBSTUDENT. A special sub-folder is also created for each student where personal Web pages may be created and merged into the Olin Web site.

Olin's email system - the school runs its own Microsoft Exchange email system and everyone is strongly encouraged to actively correspond with one another. This will be covered more in-depth later.

Olin's modem bank - the school makes a bank of modems available to its students that allow remote machines to be connected to the internet. This will be covered more in-depth later.

How Do I Get An Account?

Semester start: Bulk requests are transmitted to computing from the various program office (Undergraduate, Graduate, PhD) at the beginning of each semester. Such bulk requests are processed within 3-5 business days after receipt. No individual requests are processed before the second week of August for the new academic year. Once accounts have been created, account information sheets may be obtained from the Computer Lab by presenting your student ID or another form of photo identification.
During the academic year: BETWEEN 2nd WEEK OF AUGUST and JUNE 1, individual requests may be initiated by completing a New Student Account form.

Questions or problems with your account should be directed to Earl Banez in the Computer Lab.

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General Computer Use Policy

Introduction

This document provides guidelines for appropriate use of computer facilities and services at Washington University. It is not a comprehensive document covering all aspects of computer use. It offers principles to help guide members of the Washington University community, and specific policy statements that serve as reference points. It will be modified as new questions and situations arise.

While the proliferation of computers and information technologies does not alter basic codes of behavior in academic life, it does place some issues in new contexts. Using these technologies enables people to do varied things-both good and bad-more easily. They are an enormously rich resource for innovation in the furtherance of Washington University's academic mission. They also offer new forums for the University's historic commitment to the expression and discussion of a wide diversity of ideas and opinions. But they increase the risks of actions, deliberate or not, that are harmful in various ways, including: (a) interference with the rights of others; (b) violation of the law; (c) interference with the mission of the University; or (d) endangering the integrity of the University's information computer network. The guidelines that follow in the next section of this document seek to forge the link between established codes of conduct and use of new technologies. Computer networking has greatly expanded our ability to access and exchange information, requiring more vigilant efforts and perhaps more secure safeguards to protect individuals' rights of privacy. Property as well as privacy rights may be infringed whenever files or data belonging to others, however gained, are used without authorization; moreover, while freedom of inquiry and expression are fundamental principles of academic life, assaults upon the personal integrity of individual members of the academic community and dissemination of offensive materials may undermine the foundations of that community. Other actions taken by individuals may, under some circumstances, jeopardize the integrity of the computer network and the ability of others to communicate using this system. Accordingly, the guidelines that follow seek to both preserve the freedom to inquire and share information and sustain the security and integrity of individuals within the community and the computer system itself.

While some of the guidelines therefore call for respectful and responsible use of the computer networks to protect the rights of individuals, others warn against actions that may violate the law: users within the academic community must understand the perils of illegal use, exchange, or display of copyrighted, deceptive, defamatory, or obscene materials on a web page or through other electronic communication channels.

The community at large has rights and expectations that must be considered. When individuals misrepresent either themselves or the University, or when they act by computer in a manner unacceptable within the University or in the larger community, the integrity and mission of the University itself is endangered.

Finally, the guidelines seek to protect the integrity of the University information systems themselves: the computing or networking resources need to be accessible and secure for appropriate uses consistent with the mission of the University; the usurpation of these resources for personal gain or without authorization is unacceptable. Moreover, even the individual right to privacy may, when personal files may need to be accessed for troubleshooting purposes, be overridden by authorized personnel to protect the integrity of the University's computer systems.

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Principles and Guidelines

A. Respect the rights and sensibilities of others

1. Electronic mail should adhere to the same standards of conduct as any other form of mail. Respect others you contact electronically by avoiding distasteful, inflammatory, harassing or otherwise unacceptable comments. (In an academic community, the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints preserved by the concept of academic freedom may sometimes prove distasteful, disturbing or offensive to some. This policy is not intended to restrict such exchange.)
2. Others have a right to know who is contacting them.
3. Respect the privacy of others and their accounts. Do not access or intercept files or data of others without permission. Do not use the password of others or access files under false identity.
4. Distribution of excessive amounts of unsolicited mail is inappropriate.
5. While the University encourages respect for the rights and sensibilities of others, it cannot protect individuals against the existence or receipt of materials that may be offensive to them. Those who make use of electronic communications may come across or be recipients of material they find offensive or simply annoying.

B. Be aware of the legal implications of your computer use.

1. The Internet enables users to disseminate material worldwide. Thus the impact of dissemination on the internet is often far broader than that of a statement made on paper or in routine conversation. Keep in mind that a larger audience means a greater likelihood that someone may object with or without legal basis.
2. Much of what appears on the internet is protected by copyright law regardless of whether the copyright is expressly noted. Users should generally assume that material is copyrighted unless they know otherwise and not copy or disseminate copyrighted material without permission. Copyright protection also applies to much software, which is often licensed to the University with specific limitations on its use. Both individual users and the University may, in some circumstances, be held legally responsible for violations of copyright.
3. Many other state and federal laws, including those prohibiting deceptive advertising, use of others' trademarks, defamation, violations of privacy, and obscenity apply to network-based communications.
4. Because the internet is international, it can be argued that the (often more restrictive) laws of other countries may apply. This does not mean that members of the University community should be censored by extremely restrictive foreign laws, but in some situations the University must take into consideration whether violations of foreign laws may affect the activities of the University in those countries.

C. Respect the mission of the University in the larger community

1. The University makes internet resources available to students, faculty and staff to further the University's educational, research, medical, service and related missions. While incidental personal use is permissible in most settings, these resources are generally available only for University-related activities.
2. The University does not monitor the content of web pages, electronic mail or other on-line communications and is not responsible for the views expressed by individual users. Under certain circumstances, however, the University may be held liable if it fails to take reasonable remedial steps after it learns of illegal uses of its computer facilities. Use computer resources lawfully.
3. Remember that you are responsible for all activity involving your account. Keep your account secure and private. Do not use identifying data or common words as a password; your password should be difficult to crack or otherwise guess either by individuals or by sophisticated computer programs.
4. The University is the custodian of a wide array of personal and financial data concerning its students, staff, faculty and patients, as well as the University itself. Respect the University obligations of confidentiality as well as your own. Only those with authorization may access, communicate or use confidential information.
5. Material posted on WEB pages is generally accessible and thus deserves even greater thought and care than your private electronic mail. Remember that, absent restrictions, your web page is available to anyone, anywhere, and act accordingly.
6. The university has a right to expect that computer users will properly identify themselves. Computer accounts are assigned and identified to individuals. Don't misrepresent yourself.

D. Do not harm the integrity of the University's computer systems and networks.

1. Today's information technology is a shared resource. Respect the needs of others when using computer and network resources. Do not tamper with facilities and avoid any actions that interfere with the normal operations of computers, networks, and facilities.
2. Avoid excessive use of computer resources. They are finite and others deserve their share. Chain mail, junk mail, and similar inappropriate uses of University resources are not acceptable. Web pages that are accessed to an excessive degree can be a drain on computer resources and, except where significant to the University's mission, may require the University to ask that they be moved to a private Internet provider.
3. Although a respect for privacy is fundamental to the University's policies, understand that almost any information can in principle be read or copied; that some user information is maintained in system logs as a part of responsible computer system maintenance; that the University must reserve the right to examine computer files, and that, in rare circumstances, the University may be compelled by law or policy to examine even personal and confidential information maintained on University computing facilities.
4. You are granted privileges and responsibilities with your account. While these vary between groups, the use of University resources for personal commercial gain or for partisan political purposes (not including the expression of personal political views, debate and the like) is inappropriate and possibly illegal.
5. Individual University computer systems have varying resources and demands. Some have additional and sometimes more restrictive guidelines applicable to their own user.

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Implementation

A. All University codes of conduct apply to information technology as well as to other forms of communication and activity.

B. Systems managers or other individuals within an academic or administrative unit may be empowered to suspend some or all privileges associated with computer use in cases of misuse or threat to the integrity of all or part of the University's information management resources.

C. Before any permanent action is taken against a user, the user will be advised of the bases for the proposed action and given an opportunity to respond. Concerns about such actions may be raised through the usual administrative or academic channels associated with the department, school, facility or resource in question.

D. Where a violation of University policies or applicable law appears to warrant action beyond a suspension or elimination of computer privileges, the matter may be referred to a supervisor, administrator or University disciplinary body with appropriate authority or to law enforcement authorities.

E. Complaints or concerns about another's use of University computer resources should be directed to the administrator responsible for the facility or resource in question.

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Approved, Washington University Faculty Senate, May 1997.

For questions about this policy, contact your school, department, or unit system manager or send email to Shirley K. Baker , Vice Chancellor for Information Technology.

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Electronic Mail

The Olin Business School runs its own Microsoft Exchange email system. The server is called MAIL.OLIN.WUSTL.EDU. Everyone in the school, faculty, staff, and students have accounts. The Exchange Server messaging system allows users great functionality and flexibility. In addition to electronic mail, Exchange lets users create other things including calendars, contact lists, task lists, and folders that can easily be shared with other Exchange Server users. This lets students share any kind of files with each other when working on group projects.

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Client Software

Students have several choices for what client software to use for accessing their email.

The client software used in the Computer Lab and by most people within the school is Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft sells Outlook as part of the Office97 application suite, thus many students already have this software.

Anyone who owns Windows 95 or Windows NT has an Exchange client built into the operating system. The Inbox icon on your desktop is in fact an Exchange client.

Another popular way for students to access their Exchange mailbox is with a POP3 client such as Eudora. POP3 clients are not as sophisticated as Outlook or Exchange clients because the protocol does not support as many features. But Eudora Light is a wonderful free client that students can download from http://www.eudora.com/eudoralight/ and has been proved over a long time period to be very reliable and a good choice for accessing many other email servers.

Finally, students can access their Exchange mailbox with nothing more than an internet browser like Netscape Navigator or the Internet Explorer. This method uses a protocol that is most limiting in the functions that are capable, but has the enormous advantage of making your mailbox accessible from the widest range of machines anywhere in the world without requiring special email client software. To access your mailbox via the Web, go to https://mail.olin.wustl.edu/exchange/ and enter your username and password.

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Forwarding

Many students already use an existing email account (or several) elsewhere. In order to make managing their email easier, students can elect to have all of their Olin email forwarded to another (single) internet email account. To do so, complete and submit the email forwarding form. Read and follow the instructions that are included with the form, inaccurate forms will be completed as submitted and you are responsible for the accuracy of the submission.

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Distribution Lists

Your account will be put into an Exchange distribution list based upon your class cohort. There are two instances of the distribution list: an OPEN list (pmba10-open@lists.olin.wustl.edu; bsba2004-open@olin.wustl.edu; etc) and an OFFICIAL SCHOOL BUSINESS list (pmba10@olin.wustl.edu; bsba2004@olin.wustl.edu; etc) Both the OPEN and OFFICIAL lists are populated at initial enrollment. OPEN lists are available to everyone, OFFICIAL lists are available for use only by Olin faculty and staff. Again, these lists are correct when students are first enrolled but may not always reflect class changes.

Generally, the use of distribution lists is not overly encouraged. Nobody likes to receive a great deal of unsolicited mass email. Please use good judgement before asking what may be over 150 people to read one of your messages sent to a distribution list. And by all means, DO NOT SEND A REPLY TO THE ENTIRE LIST by mistake.

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User Directories

There are at least a couple of ways to find usernames for people in Olin.

If you are using Outlook for your email client, just click on the "TO" field and a complete user list will pop up. Or you can just enter part or all of the user's name in the "TO" field and Outlook will try to resolve it for you automatically.

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Purchasing Computer Hardware and Software

Students can find information on purchasing computer hardware at: Buying A Computer.

Many companies offer students reduced pricing on software. Two local sources of academic software are the Campus Bookstore and Software Plus (Location: 13025 Olive St. at Olive/Fee Fee Rd, Phone: 314-434-3311). You may be asked to provide your student status, so be sure to have your student ID.

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Training

Olin students possess a wide range of skills and experience with computing. History has shown that the majority of you are already quite comfortable working with computers. For those who are not, we have arranged several options for enhancing your computer skills.

To successfully complete assignments in the program at Olin, it is essential for students to be proficient with:

• an operating system such as Windows 95 or Windows NT,
• a word processing application such as Microsoft Word or Word Perfect,
• a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3,
• a presentation or graphics package such as Microsoft Powerpoint,
• an Internet Web browser such as Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

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Commercial Providers

For those who need skill enhancement, the school has arranged for discounts on public classes offered by our local preferred computer training partners, Productivity Plus and Systems Service Enterprises (SSE). Each of these firms has an excellent reputation and a broad set of classes for computer skills training. These courses are intended for software novices only, not for those who are already familiar with the software. A typical full-day class that normally costs about $200 is available to our students for $120. Of course, students may choose to take training classes anywhere, but past students have generally been pleased with these two providers. For further information about specific courses, or to register for courses, contact our preferred providers directly at:

SSE 795 Office Parkway, Suite 101 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 (314) 997-4700 Katherine Carter (x3322) http://www.sseinc.com

Productivity Plus 11300 Olive Blvd., Suite 250 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 (314) 569-5056 Ellen Ostermayer

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University options

Training for some software will come as part of individual required and elective classes. Generally, a faculty member will take some class time to teach students the basics of some software packages (such as an advanced statistics package or programming language). There may also be help sessions provided by the faculty and their teaching assistants. Olin's computing and library staffs may periodically offer free special training sessions on some software packages.

The Becker Library at the School of Medicine (and to a lesser degree the main campus library) also offers short courses to the entire University community on a range of topics related to microcomputer and network applications. A catalog is available online via the Web at: http://medicine.wustl.edu/library/les/. These courses generally have a modest fee.

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Getting Help

Olin students have several ways to get help when encountering computer related problems. One good starting point is the "Computing" page on Olin's Web site. It can be found at: http://www.olin.wustl.edu/computing/. Documentation and help sheets on many topics can be found within the computer lab at Simon Hall or in the Kopolow Library. Or when human intervention is required, Olin has a staff of professionals available.

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Olin's Computing Staff

Lab Consultants (935-5774) - Student lab consultants are available during all lab hours. These consultants, consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, are familiar with lab procedures, software and hardware. They should be your primary source of assistance while in the computer lab. However, if the consultants are not able to adequately solve your problem, feel free to contact any of the professional staff members.

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Lab Facilities

Computer Lab

The main computer lab in Simon Hall is in the lower level, Room 6. The hours for the facility can vary somewhat depending on assignments being due, but in general tend to follow a schedule like this:

Mon-Thu 7:30am - 1:00am

Fri 7:30am - 7:00pm

Sat 10:00am - 7:00pm

Sun 10:00am - 1:00am

There are a total of 65 individual stations and 4 group study rooms. All of these stations have Pentium processors. Every machine is networked to the file and print servers and each is an internet node.

All of the Pentium machines run Windows NT. The primary software packages used in the lab are Microsoft Office97 (for word processing, email, spreadsheets, and presentations), the Internet Explorer (for Web browsing), and Minitab (for general statistics). Several other packages are also installed for linear programming, terminal emulation, specialized statistics, simulations, and programming. If other packages would be useful, please inform Earl Banez in the Lab so they can be investigated and acquired.

The lab is open to all undergraduate and graduate students taking classes at Olin. A small percentage of students using the lab may only be minoring in business. There are occasionally times when it is difficult to gain access to a computer. Students are asked to sign up for machines on a physical log sheet at the front of the lab, either when they come into the lab or up to 24 hours prior. Stations can be reserved by calling the main lab number, 935-5774. Students lose their reservation for a machine if they are not in place within 10 minutes of their reservation time.

The lab has many printing options. By default, most of the computers use two networked high-speed, large capacity HP LaserJet 5 SiMXs. Toward the back of the lab, there are several individual printers, either directly connected to one workstation (for easier manual feed printing on envelopes or bond paper) or not connected to any machines at all (for walkup laptop users). A couple of color deskjet printers and flatbed scanners are also available on dedicated stations at the front of the lab. Olin does not currently charge for printing, but please help us hold down our operating costs by using good judgement when printing. For instance, making use of Print Preview options can save unnecessary mistakes.

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Express Lab

The Express Lab is located on the first floor of Simon Hall near the student lounges. The purpose of this lab is to give students a convenient way to quickly check their email or to print off a last minute change to a document before class. The facility will be open during building hours, and users are asked to limit themselves to a maximum of 15 minutes at a time.

The room has four networked Pentium computers configured like the machines in the main PC lab. All four are connected to a networked HP LaserJet 4M Plus printer. Anyone with an existing account and password at Olin will be able to sign onto these machines. The room is equipped with a telephone. Help and supplies can be arranged by dialing the main PC lab at 935-5774.

Laptop and notebook computer users can also make good use of the room. These users will find a data port in the back of the phone for modem connections, a separate Ethernet line for network connections, and a parallel cable for connecting to the printer.

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Internet Connectivity

All of the computers at Olin are directly connected to the internet. In addition, there are many locations throughout the building where students with ethernet cards can plug into an outlet and have their laptops directly connected too. For these locations, check out http://www.olin.wustl.edu/computing/help/laptopaccess.cfm. This Web page also lists locations in Simon Hall where students will find analog phone lines to plug in a laptop with a regular modem.

Olin students have a great deal of flexibility for remotely connecting to the school via the internet. Many of the computing services available from the school can be accessed over the internet. A few services, for example the job postings of the Weston Career Center, are restricted to people who are on campus, who are connected to the University's modem bank, or who have a special password.

Commercial Providers

Frequently, students entering the Olin Business School already have internet service from a commercial ISP or through their companies. This kind of access is just fine and there is no necessity to change. Simply point your Web browser and mail client to our site. Or students can choose to have email forwarded to an existing account. Often it is difficult to configure a machine to have multiple networking settings that don't interfere with one another. Please seek guidance from Olin's professional computing staff before you endeavor to add Olin's internet access to a machine that already connects to a network.

Olin's modem bank

The Olin Business School provides a bank of 46 modems for remote faculty and student internet access. It is actually a service that the school buys from the university's central computing and networking group. Olin currently does not charge students back for using this service, but it is provided as a convenience with the intention that students will use this service primarily for school-related activities. The school asks that its students self-regulate their usage and limit their connectivity to no more than a couple of hours per day.

The modem bank allows connections up to 56Kbps provided that the client modem uses the K56Flex standard. Modems adhering to the X2 standard will probably still work, but be limited to 33.6Kbps.

Instructions and software for connecting to Olin's modem bank are available in the Simon Hall Computing Lab. If you have difficulty in setting up your machine, call on Olin's professional computing staff for help. The modem bank phone number is 512-0027.

 

There are several drawbacks to using Olin's dialup internet services:

1. the user to modem ratio is about 30 to 1. Even at its worst service level, America Online was around 12 to 1. This system is just not meant for unlimited access.
2. The modem bank provides basic internet access only. There is no attempt at adding value through special services aimed at the user community.
3. The university does not run its modem bank operation to make money, so customer service is not always a high concern.
4. The service is aimed at local users, so callers from Illinois or other area codes must dial long-distance.

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Olin's Web site

The Olin Business School strives to use the Web site to help coordinate many activities within the school. One important page that has been created is at: http://www.olin.wustl.edu/current/. It is designed to have the most important links students typically need to access. Another important page is at: http://www.olin.wustl.edu/links/. This is the page that the school generally has as the default or startup page when Web browsers are installed.

Links to frequently follow on our Web site

Announcements - This is often the first place that breaking news will appear. Students should make a point to read these.

Class Files - This link directs you to files that faculty will want you to have for classes. Most faculty will put their syllabus on faculty course pages. Often, faculty will have spreadsheets or data files saved here as well. Alternatively, faculty may save files on our FTP server. Maybe best of all, faculty will often have lecture notes or PowerPoint slides available from class sessions.

Department Pages - Several departments within the school maintain their own Web presence. The Computer Lab, the Center for Experiential Learning, the Kopolow Business Library, and the Weston Career Center all have pages with important information. Most students find the Weston Career Center site absolutely essential to their job searches.

Other Resources

Olin students may have the opportunity to use other resources during their time at the school. Here are some examples:

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Technology Management Club

The mission of the Olin Technology Club is: "To educate the Olin community on all issues related to the use of technology in business." The club does this through outside speakers and events held periodically throughout the year. For more information, see their Web site at: http://www.olin.wustl.edu/orgs/tmc/

Taylor Experimental Lab

The Taylor Lab is a special computerized lab located in room 14 used by faculty from Olin and other parts of the University where students can become subjects in economic experiments and simulations. Subjects are often paid for their participation and performance in the experiments. Occasionally, the Taylor Lab will also be used for class related activities. For more information, contact Jim Holloway at the Taylor Lab.

Kopolow Business Library

The Kopolow library is located on the second floor of Simon Hall and is among the elite business resource libraries in the country. Much of the information is computerized and the library is equipped with many machines dedicated to accessing business data. For more specific information, see their Web site at: http://www.olin.wustl.edu/library/

Adacemic Databases

Olin acquires several databases other than those kept in the library. Generally, these are used by faculty and students in research or advanced elective coursework. Examples of these include CRSP, Compustat, and Citibase. For more information or before embarking on any extensive data project, contact Jim Jones in the Computer Lab.

Student Information

Students can access the University Student Information System (SIS) over the Web. Students can point their browser to: https://acadinfo.wustl.edu/.

For more information about using the WebSTAC, contact Student Services on the first floor of Simon Hall.