Manchester Community College - Open Computer Labs - User Contract
All students must sign a new contract each semester. Please keep a copy for your records.
__________________________________________________________________________________
General Rules

The use of peer-to-peer file sharing is prohibited at MCC. Commonly used applications
for this activity are LimeWire, Morpheus, and Kazaa. Use of these applications may result in your
removal from the lab.

You are not permitted to connect your own laptop computer to the MCC network.

Students may use the lab according to priority of need. Students not doing academic work may be
asked by a lab monitor to give up use of a computer for a student doing academic work. Please read
the priority of use list and have patience in the event of a shortage of computers.

Keep noise to a minimum. Conversations should be moved to the lounge across the hall from 206.

Food is not allowed.

Drinks must be in spill-proof containers.

The resources and facilities of the lab are to be used solely for legitimate academic and administrative
purposes. Any unauthorized or illegitimate use of the computer systems will be subject to appropriate
disciplinary action, including, but not limited to the loss of computing privileges, and/or legal action.

Do not copy or delete system files, computer management programs, or attempt to access such
programs except for the purpose for which they are intended.

Do not attempt to modify or repair any equipment in the lab.

Copying or modifying software may violate the college’s license agreements and may result in
disciplinary and/or legal action.

These computer resources may not be used for monetary gain or development of software intended for
sale.

While we make every effort to return lost items, we are not responsible for personal property left in the
computer lab.

Do not leave children under 12 unattended in the lab.
General Manners

Take all cell phone calls outside the lab. Turn off cell phone ringers.

Always log in and out. This enables us to track use of the lab, which helps us staff it adequately and
justify the expense of its existence. The lab monitors will help you with this procedure.

Cooperate with the lab monitors.

Do not print out excessively long documents. The lab monitors can and will terminate a print job if they
deem it too long.

Be considerate of others using the lab. Keep noise to a minimum. Clean up after yourself.
Page 1 of 2
687299013 SCC 3/1/2006
General Advice
 Be aware that you are dealing with computers, and all of their shortcomings, which may include (but are
not limited to) the following:
 The floppy disc that was fine yesterday is suddenly unreadable.
 The computer crashes spontaneously, after hours of work.
 The printer is out of order.
It is never a question of if these things will happen to you, but when they will happen to you. Your best
protection is to make back-ups of your discs, save your work frequently as you work, and allow plenty of
time to complete your assignments. In other words, never depend too heavily on any computer system.
In the event that something seemingly catastrophic happens to you, remain calm. And please remember
that verbal abuse of the lab monitor is also against the rules.
Lab Monitors
 At least one monitor is on duty at all times. They have the authority to enforce the lab rules.

The lab monitors are here to help you, so feel free to ask questions. Report any questions or
problems to them.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as there being no monitor available, the lab may have
to be closed without notice.
Dealing with Files and Data Storage

Be aware that any files you save on a computer in the lab will be erased upon rebooting. Never save
files to the hard drive and expect to ever see them again. Any files that you save in the lab will be
automatically deleted within 24 hours.

We strongly encourage the use of JumpDrives (also known as ThumbDrives or PenDrives) which
plug into a USB port.

You may find it faster to work on the computer’s hard drive than your floppy. If you want to, you may
copy (never move) your file to the C: drive or the home folder. Be sure to copy it back to your floppy, or
you might never see it again.

Back-up your work frequently to your floppy or other storage device. This will save a lot of time and
frustration if the system crashes while you’re working.

Floppies sometimes go bad for no apparent reason. Make back-ups of your floppy disks periodically.

Take your floppies and JumpDrives with you when you go. While we try to return lost items to their
owners, we are not responsible for your possessions.

Virus scanning is automatic.
I have read and understand these rules and agree to abide by them.
Student Name (please print)_______________________________________
Student Signature ________________________________________
Page 2 of 2
Date _________
687299013 SCC 3/1/2006