Information & Educational Technology | Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA)

Information & Educational Technology (IET)

Information & Educational Technology provide infrastructure, tools, and support for campus technology. Whether it's email, classroom technologies, computer labs, or network connectivity, the IET staff are here to assist.

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IET Services Policies

4.1 Account Eligibility

All full and part-time employees are eligible to receive an Active Directory account which provides them with network, email, online courses, and myLSUA access. Other types of accounts are provided on an as-needed basis and are authorized by the University official in charge of the corresponding system.

All students enrolled in one (1) or more hours are eligible to receive an Active Directory account which provides them with network, email, electronic courses, and myLSUA access.

4.2 Account Creation and Ownership

Accounts for employees are created on a manual basis. Once IET Services receives notification from either HRM or the Vice Chancellor’s office of a new employee, an account is created.

Student accounts are created automatically daily. Accounts can be manually created on an as-needed basis.

Each user is considered the owner of their associated account. All activity associated with the account is the responsibility of the owner.

4.3 User Responsibility and Accountability

Users may not allow other individuals to use their LSUA assigned network, email, or other University based account. Employees and students are individually responsible for the proper use of their assigned accounts, and are accountable for any and all activity associated with the account. Users are also responsible for the security of their assigned accounts. Users should take proper security measures to ensure the integrity of their accounts, and should also report any notice of unauthorized access

4.4 User Account Format

4.4.1 Employees

User Accounts for employees of LSUA will be formatted in one of two ways: 1) First initial followed by last name, and 2) first name followed by last initial. Exceptions to this will be made when duplicate accounts would be created. Any account created prior to this policy will remain unchanged.

4.4.2 Students

User Accounts for students of LSUA will be formatted as follows: First initial followed by the full last name followed by a three digit sequential number for duplicate accounts. Example: John Smith would be jsmith001. The second John Smith will be jsmith002, and so on. Any account created prior to this policy will remain unchanged.

4.4.3 Department and Miscellaneous Accounts

Generally, department accounts will be eligible for a shared mailbox. Other miscellaneous accounts will be created on an as-needed basis. Formatting for these accounts will be done according to the requirements of the account.

4.5 Passwords

Passwords are an important aspect of computer security and provide the front line of protection for user accounts. Poorly chosen passwords may result in the compromising of the University’s entire network. All university employees are responsible for selecting and securing their passwords. Each user shall observe the following password guidelines:

All user ids and passwords will be unique to each authorized user.
Passwords will have at least eight alpha-numeric characters including a capital letter, a number, and a special character. Common names and/or phrases may not be used. Passwords cannot include the user’s username, any part of their name, nor contain “LSUA”.
Password will be kept private. Passwords may not be shared, coded into programs, or written down.
Password will automatically expire after 90 days. All users must change their password at this time.
A user account will be temporarily “locked” after five (5) failed login attempts.
All computer sessions will be suspended after 5 minutes of inactivity. A password will be required to log back in.
Successful logons to the University systems should display the date, time, and location of the last successful logon, where possible
User ids and passwords within the University administrative software will have access revoked upon notification of separation from the University.

IET Services will never ask an employee or student for their password or MFA token. Employees and students should never give out their password or MFA token to anyone – this includes other employees in the same office/department, and/or any outside vendor.

4.5.1 Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the process of using a second piece of information to verify the user's identity. MFA should be used for all University Systems where possible.

All LSUA accounts are required to register for MFA during their First Time Account setup.

4.6 Account Expiration and Deletion

4.6.1 Employees

Employee User Accounts will be expired (disabled) immediately upon notice of separation from the University. Exceptions will be made only with approval of the appropriate dean, vice-chancellor, or chancellor.

4.6.2 Students

Student User Accounts will remain active for four (4) months following the end of a semester. If a student enrolls in the following semester, the account will stay active. If the Student does not enroll in the following semester, the account and all associated data may be purged from the corresponding system.

6.1 General Guidelines

The University network is defined to include any and all computer and electronic based communication facilities and/or equipment, which are owned or operated under the supervision of LSUA. The University network is for use by authorized personnel affiliated with the University, consistent with, and in the course of, their official work, study, and/or research. Individual groups or projects within the University may adopt more restrictive network usage policies that apply to their sub-networks and personnel within their area. Acceptable and unacceptable uses of LSUA network resources are outlined in the following sections. Note: These lists are not all inclusive.

6.2 Acceptable Uses

Any use that is necessary to complete research and/or coursework as assigned by or to any university employee or student.
Communication for professional development or to collaborate in research and education.
As a means for authorized users to have legitimate access to remote facilities such as email, network resources, and/or Internet access.
Other administrative and/or academic communications or activities in direct support of University projects and missions.
Incidental personal use may be allowed when such use meets the following criteria; it does not interfere with University operations, it does not comprise the functioning of University network and computing resources, it does not interfere with the user’s employment or other obligations to the University, and it does not violate any other University policy.

6.3 Unacceptable Uses

Any use deemed commercial or for-profit.
Any use that is likely, intended, or by negligence causes unauthorized network disruption, system failure, or data corruption.
Any use related to achieving, enabling, or hiding unauthorized access to network resources, University owned software, or other information belonging to the University, either within or outside the University network.
Any use related to sending/receiving electronic mail that includes, but is not limited to, the following: solicitation or commercial use, forging any portion of an electronic mail message, spamming (bulk unsolicited email), or sending unwanted messages to unwilling recipients.
Intentionally circumventing or building an unauthorized conduit through the University firewall with intentions of bypassing University network management and security devices.
Use of another individual’s identification; network, email or other university based account; and/or related passwords.
Unauthorized transfer or entry into a file to read, use, or change the contents; or for any other reason.
Use of computing facilities or network resources to send obscene, harassing, abusive, or threatening messages or computer viruses or worms.
Any use that violates University policies, procedures, and contractual agreements.
Any use that violates local, state, or federal laws.

In general, use of University email services is governed by policies that apply to the use of all University computing and networking facilities as outlined in this document. The following sections are more specific to email usage and restrictions.

7.1 Account Eligibility

All employees and students that are assigned an Active Directory account as outlined within this document will receive an email address with the same name.

7.2 Purpose of Email Services

The University provides an email account to every employee and student of the University for the purposes of teaching and learning, research, administration and community service.

The University permits this account to be used for limited incidental personal purposes. However, it is most concerned to ensure that the account is used as effectively as possible in support of the above purposes and to facilitate the work of the University. A University email account may not be used for engaging in non-LSUA business or for personal gain, except if permitted by other University policies.

The email address supplied by the university is considered to be the official email contact point for University staff and students, and official University email correspondence will be delivered to this address.

Email accounts may also be used for the submission and return of student assignments and other specific uses, but only where the relevant Faculty or Unit has specifically authorized this.

7.3 Broadcast Emails

Broadcast emails are defined as messages sent to the entire campus, or a very large group of users within the University.

The use of broadcast emails from the University will be kept to a minimum level and will only be used for purposes of official University business.

Students will not be allowed to send broadcast emails. In the event a student needs to send a campus-wide message, such requests should be handled through the Chancellor’s Office or designee.

7.4 Regular Accessing of Emails

It is important for faculty and staff to access and read email messages sent to their LSUA email account on a timely basis and will be presumed to do so. Students are expected to check their official email address on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with University communications and class assignments.

7.5 Assignment of Student Email Addresses

All students will be assigned an official University email address. It is to this official address that the University will send email communications; this official address will be the address listed in the University's Global Address List found IN the Exchange / Outlook Address Directory.

7.6 Educational Uses of Email

Faculty may determine how email will be used in their classes. It is highly recommended that if a faculty member has email requirements and expectations, they specify these requirements in their course syllabus. Faculty may expect that students' official email addresses are being accessed AND may USE email FOR their courses accordingly.

7.7 Email Storage Guidelines

Storage space on emails servers is limited. Users should “clean up” their mailboxes on a regular basis. Messages not needed or not related to University business should be deleted.

All messages placed in the “Deleted Items” folder will be deleted after 14 days. All messages placed in the “Junk Mail” folder will be deleted after 7 days. Users should take necessary action to ensure messages needed for University business not be placed in either of these locations.

All University-based email will follow state guidelines for archival methods and restoration procedures.