Policy and Procedure

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ACADEMIC OPERATING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Background

The electronic communications infrastructure at Mississippi State University has evolved into a large, complex network over which the education, research and business of the University is conducted. Today the network integrates voice, data, video, security, e-commerce and wireless applications into a powerful, unified information technology resource upon which our students, faculty and staff depend.

The elements of today’s electronic communications infrastructure include:

• The outside network cable plant (e.g., fiber-optic cable, copper twisted-pair cable, and associated electronics)
• Building network cabling systems (e.g., wiring closets, data and telephone cable and faceplates)
• Network electronic components (e.g., switches, routers, hubs, repeaters and transmission equipment)
• Network protocols, services, addressing and naming conventions (e.g. IP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, H.323)
• Security and authentication services (e.g., firewalls, LDAP, PKI, NDS, Active Director)
• Wireless network transmission systems and associated frequency spectrum (e.g., cellular telephone and wireless data)
• ID Card systems (e.g., card readers, access control applications, debit card applications, and card production systems)
• External network connections (e.g., Internet, Internet2 and the Public Switched Telephone Network)

The size, complexity, and mission-critical role of the network demand adherence to a centralized, coordinated strategy for planning, implementation, operation and support. Such a strategy is necessary to protect the future reliability, maintainability and viability of this valuable asset.

Policy

The university will have an institution-wide strategy for maintaining and enhancing the electronic communication infrastructure with Information Technology Services (ITS) having overall responsibility for planning, setting of standards, implementation, operation, and support of the electronic communications infrastructure. Implicit in this responsibility is the authority of ITS to take necessary preventative and remedial steps to ensure the operational integrity of the network and underlying infrastructure.

It is the goal of the university to have in every university building an appropriately networked communication infrastructure that is consistent with the standards and practices of the institution. New building construction and major building renovations will include funding for a fully networked communication infrastructure. For existing buildings, infrastructure plans will be developed and all network enhancements, regardless of source of funds, will be consistent with those plans.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the President.

Procedure

For new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation, the following procedure should be followed:

• During budget planning, representatives of Information Technology Services will meet with the building occupants and the architect to develop a budget allocation consistent with the networking needs of the building. This budget estimate will be changed in the final budget only with an approved modification of the planned communication infrastructure.
• As the detailed design of the building is developed by the architect, Information Technology Services will continue to work with the architect and the building occupants to develop the detailed specification of the building communication network. This includes wiring, electronics, location and size of wiring closets, location and nature of connections for use within the building, and connectivity to the university’s backbone.
• ITS staff will participate in overseeing the installation of the communication network and in inspections involving components of the communication infrastructure.
• Once accepted, ITS will assume operational responsibility of the communication infrastructure (but not, without special arrangements, the end-user facilities).

Individuals, departments, or other departments wishing to enhance the communication infrastructure in an existing building must first contact ITS. ITS will coordinate the overall project with other university units, e.g., Physical Plant. One-time and recurring costs and funding sources will be identified, as appropriate, during the planning phase.

Review

This AOP will be reviewed every four years (or whenever circumstances require an earlier review) by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (APAA) with recommendations for revision presented to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

AOP 30.04
12/01/06

For information about this policy, contact the responsible/reviewing department hyperlinked above.