Campus News

Computer Accounts By Jackie Goodwin

As the student representative placed on the Presidential Computer Advisory Committee, it is my responsibility to keep students informed about any changes surrounding computer use and access at U.P.E.I. I realize that a great deal of concern surrounds this issue and that many students were

under the impression that U.P.E.I students would —

be cut off from all computer access on campus this year. This is not the case.

Personal accounts were introduced about 10 years ago as a means for students not taking computer-related courses to gain access and experience on computers. When the number of personal accounts was small, this was a manageable service. However, in the past few years the demand for personal accounts at -U.P.E.J. has increased dramatically. The Computer Centre Staff has found that the large assignment of individual accounts has _become extremely difficult to regulate. As well, it has become obvious that some students had as many as two Class computer accounts, in addition to their personal account. This was viewed as a waste of human and computer resources at a time when demand for computer access is growing. Thus, an interim policy has been put in place in attempt to deal with the increasing problems.

‘In place of the "personal accounts", general class accounts" will be set up for those students wanting an account, but who do not already have a class account for a particular course. These accounts will be treated the same as other class accounts and will

be removed from the system at the end of the semester. Those students who presently have class

accounts through a particular course will not be assigned a general class account as they can use their class accounts for personal use. General class accounts can be signed-up for in the computer centre at AVC. Students who want to transfer files from a personal account to either a class account or

general class account may request this service by adding their name to the file transfer sign-up sheet in the Computer Centre. Files will not be split up across more than one class account and no transfers will be available after October 15, 1990.

In addition, it has been decided that only those students who have class accounts, for particular courses will have access to their accounts on weekdays from 11-4 p.m. It was felt this decision had to be made due to problems with peak usage during these hours. Due to increasing demands on

_ the system, delays were being encountered in classes

which required computer use. Also, students who had to have computer access for class assignments due to the capacity problems. Thus, steps had to be taken to alleviate interference with class work.

As was the case last year, no computer mail will be available to freshmen students. Latex printing will be available to students upon written request from a professor. Those students, such as thesis students, who require computers for their course thesis work and don’t want their accounts erased at the end of the semester may obtain a special class account by sending a written request from their professor to the computer centre. A recent decision by the AVC’s Dean’s Council will limit the hours U.P.E.1. students will have access to the AVC Microcomputer Lab and AVC Microcomputer Resource Room: from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm all U.P.E.I. students can have access with AVC students having priority.’ After 6:00 p.m. and on weekends oily AVC students will have access to these facilities.

Any students with questions or concern surrounding computer usage here on campus are welcome to contact me at 566-3172. I hope that I have clearly explained the existing policy regarding computer accounts at U.P.E.I.

September 27, 1990

Page 7