Policy On Internet Access Within The University System of Maryland
Developed by USMTC (5/12/1995) and approved by the Chancellor
An excellent telecommunications infrastructure is a necessary condition for a University to be eminent in a networked, technological age. The UMATS chooses to continue its tradition of high standards of service at remarkable low cost. Every member of the USM family- all its employees and students–should be able to assume reliable, high-speed access to the local, statewide, and global resources available through the internet.
To assure continuing high service and low cost, UMATS must move away from its current role of providing internet service for individuals and groups such as community colleges and k thru 12 programs not directly identified as part of the USM, i.e., employees paid by the University and students paying fees to the University. In the past, before internet services were readily available from private vendors, USM institutions provided internet access to non-University persons and groups. At that time the University incurred no major cost because the internet connection via the University was paid by a grant. Because there was a general lack of service offered by private vendors the University was not in danger of being charged with unfair competition with the private sector.
Now the cost to the University and widespread availability from private vendors of internet services makes it imperative that we address the question of internet access by non-University groups via the University. Those non-University groups to whom UMATS has hitherto provided internet connections should be advised of the changes in internet service to the University that necessitates that they now arrange for their own internet service and that they will be given until 1 July 1996 by which time they should acquire this service from a public vendor. They should also be advised that the University in negotiating its own internet service is attempting to arrange for such internet service to be offered by the public vendor directly to these non-University groups. It is recognized by UMATS that there can be specific inter-institutional programs between a USM institution and a non-University group that might argue for inclusion in a broader definition of "university employees and students". Further, some institutions might want to make special arrangements for other affinity groups such as alumni. UMATS recognizes the need to provide mechanisms to address exceptions to the proposed strict interpretation of UMATS internet support being limited to University employees/ students. UMATS proposes two mechanisms by which such non-University groups might be offered internet services:
- Service to such non-University groups could be offered by an USM institution by taking advantage of internet service connection through the external provider with which UMATS negotiates a contract to serve such outside groups. Under these circumstances the contract is with the external internet provider who will provide both infrastructure and maintenance service and the cost would be born by the particular USM institution and/or the non-University group, e.g., community college, k thru 12 group, alumni, etc. the UMATS would certainly provide help for any such group in acquiring their internet service through the private vendor.
- Each USM institution will be allowed a 10% level of internet activity above its "base" level (defined as the ordinary usage attributed to its faculty, staff, and students). This discretionary access would provide support for temporary or limited special access deemed important to the mission of the institution. More extensive or longer term arrangements may be allowed as appropriate within this same limit, but will require review and approval by the UMATS Operations Committee and reported to the UMATS Council. Examples might include long-term research collaborations or special relations with a state agency. Each institution will be fully responsible for creating the modem pools or other means of connection and for providing high quality support for the external users to whom it provides internet access.
|
