Lab Policies

The Information School Computer Labs facilitate the use of computing for instructional and research purposes. The iSchool Labs are open to all members of the iSchool community including faculty, staff, students and alumni.

These guidelines are intended as a supplement to the Guidelines for Use of UW Technology Computer and Network Resources, the UW Technology policy on ethics in computer use and the University's software copyright policy.

Patrons of the iSchool computer classroom must be current iSchool students, faculty, or staff. iSchool Alumni are allowed use of the lab on a space available basis. The TE Lab is available for general UW student use although iSchool students have priority access at all times.

Except where noted workstations are assigned on a first come first served basis. Lab patrons should understand that at times class use of the facilities makes equipment unavailable. Users agree to be relocated to other machines within the iSchool lab when necessary.

Food Policy

  • No food or gum allowed
  • Beverages allowed only in covered, reusable, and spillproof containers
  • For eating, please use the iSalon student lounge at the end of the hall

Quiet Study Area

  • Lab users are asked to respect other users by keeping noise levels to a minimum. Please keep conversations quiet.
  • For all audio output please use a headset. Lab staff can provide a headset if necessary.
  • Cell phones should be turned off or turned to a vibrate/silent setting. Calls should not be initiated or answered. Please step into the hallway or outside when using a cell phone.
  • If you need to converse with friends about a group project, the Team Lab may be available. Otherwise, use the computer classroom and keep conversations as quiet as possible.

Game Playing

  • Headsets must be worn for any programs or games that make noise. Lab staff can provide a headset if necessary.
  • During any time when the labs are busy, game playing is prohibited.
  • During group game play, loud talking and chatter is prohibited. Always respect those who are not playing the game as their use of the lab is higher than yours.
  • Games, casual surfing of the Web, non-UW email, and instant messaging are considered low-priority activities. If students are waiting for a computer and you are not working on school-related work, you may be asked to give up your workstation.

If a patron's activities are disruptive to other users of the lab, he/she may be asked to leave. Activity which, in the opinion of the lab staff, is considered harmful or detrimental to the functioning of the equipment (including, but not limited to, mistreatment of lab equipment, theft of materials, attempts to circumvent the network, bypass system security either locally or elsewhere on the Internet, or attempts to cause denial of service on any local or other Internet computer) will result in loss of lab privileges and possible legal action.

Lab users agree to only copy documents that they have produced or those in the public domain. They further agree to obey all copyright laws.

Patrons are asked to limit their printing to material required to complete their assignments. Production printing facilities (for on-line reserves and other large documents) are available in the UWired labs located on the first floor of Mary Gates Hall, as well as Suzzallo and Odegaard libraries.

The lab telephone is limited to business use.

The lab is not to be used for commercial purposes.