Lycoming College Guidelines for Software Acquisition and Use

1. Software which enhances the teaching process can be a very creative, important, and productive part of an educational program.  The use and development of software in teaching should be encouraged if the College is to be competitive and forward looking in its instruction methods.  The environment must be receptive to innovation and experimentation on the part of our teaching faculty and those areas which support teaching directly.  Administrative software must also be current and effective in its support of College activities and faculty functions such as academic advising.
   
2. The following provisions are to apply to the introduction and use of both administrative and academic software under the overall coordination of the Associate Dean and Director of IT Services.  As a general rule of operation for the use of both individual and departmental software, the appropriate administrative or academic coordinator should be consulted prior to purchase to consider any insights, knowledge or experience which may exist for the software under consideration.  Among to the things, this consultation should:
   
   
   • Eliminate the possibility of duplication.
   • Determine the degree of support available.
   • Determine if the software is compatible with the campus network, if appropriate.
   • Determine if there are any known potential problems.
     
     
3. After software is acquired, the following action should be taken with the appropriate administrative or academic coordinator.
   
   
   • Software intended for use in the computer labs and on the campus network must be virus checked and loaded on the network by a member of the IT Services staff.  Departments and individuals should plan on a grace period of two weeks between the time the software is received by the IT Services and the time loading on the network is completed.
   • Software (either downloaded from the Internet of obtained on a diskette) intended for personal use by an individual on an office computer should be checked for viruses.  If their are any questions about this type of procedure, individuals should check with their appropriate coordinator.  As a general rule, individual computers should be virus checked on a biweekly or monthly basis.
     
     
4. As a general rule, software acquisitions should follow these steps.
   
   
   • Software under consideration for purchase should be discussed with the appropriate coordinator for suggestions and advice, particularly in the area of compatibility and networking.
   • Departments should plan for their own departmental and individual needs and request funds in their departmental supply budgets as appropriate.
   • Funds for major software purchases should be requested and justified though the annual budget process to be reviewed and approved by the appropriate academic or administrative computer subcommittee established and charged with this function.
     
     
5. In order to provide for flexibility, innovation and experimentation, a fund, in an appropriate amount, for the development of software use will be established under the budget and control of the Director of IT Services.  The purpose of this fund will be to promote and encourage experimentation and trial of new and innovative software for educational or administrative purposes.  Departments or individuals should present ideas and recommendations to the Director of the IT Services.