Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy

The Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine (WLHSDM) “BYOD” policy works within the guidelines as outlined in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) Operating Policy and Procedure (HSCEP OP56.06) and all Information Technology (IT) Policies and procedures found on the following link (https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/it/policies/default.aspx) for using networked resources. The purpose of this policy to protect the performance, integrity, security, reliability, and continuity of vital services that rely on the WLHSDM IT infrastructure through good citizenship and legal and ethical use. The WLHSDM IT infrastructure supports services for patient care, education, public service, research, and administration.

Dental Education Program “BYOD” Protocol

1. Program Statement: For full participation in the D.M.D degree program, students in the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine (WLHSDM) are responsible for providing and maintaining electronic devices in accordance with current recommended technical specifications. For all other inquiries related to Information Technology support and policy information, please refer to the Pre-Matriculation Packet “IT Welcome” provided by the Office of Student Affairs.
2. Reason for Statement: This statement is intended to ensure that all dental students have appropriate access, via compatible personal equipment, to the information required for their participation and successful experience in the program.
3. Who Should Read This Policy: All WLHSDM students, faculty, directors, educational program administrators, and WLHSDM academic technology support staff.
4. Supporting Resources: This protocol is supported by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) Operating Policy and Procedure (HSCEP OP56.06).

Definitions:

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): The general expectation that students will provide, maintain, and use their own electronic device(s) – such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets - appropriately in the university learning environment.

Technical Expectations:

1. All students are expected to use their own laptops to access assessments, course materials, and educational information (tablets, mobile devices, and smartphones are not recommended for these purposes).

2. Students are responsible for the maintenance and security of their laptops, devices, and peripherals (e.g. mouse, power supply, network cables). Laptops must meet the minimum technical specifications as determined by the curricular platforms used.

3. Neither TTUHSC El Paso nor the WLHSDM is responsible for the consequences of a student choosing to use a device that does not meet these recommended minimum technical requirements. Furthermore students are solely responsible for vendor updates and changes in the technical specifications for applications and services required by the program.

4. Students are expected to respect administration, faculty, and tutor directions by shutting-off devices during certain educational activities. This includes complying with a faculty member’s decision not to be recorded.

5. Students should not:

1. Engage in any activity that jeopardizes the availability, performance, integrity, or security of the IT infrastructure.
2. Alter, change, reconfigure user account settings including, but not limited to security rights and user accounts.
3. Modify PC or laptop host names or domain.
4. Uninstall, modify or install software which conflicts with the existing anti-virus software.
5. Modify, alter or relocate any of the HSDM IT equipment including but not limited to staff and operatory PCs, printers, and computer peripherals such as mice, desktop switches, and network patch cables.
6. Use computing resources in a wasteful manner that creates a direct cost to TTUHSC and/or WLHSDM.  Some examples of waste are; unnecessary backgrounds on email taking up valuable storage space, spending time on the internet for personal use, playing computer games, engaging in non-business/school related online chat groups, or printing multiple copies of documents.
7. Use IT resources for personal or monetary gain or commercial purposes not directly related to TTUHSC and/or WLHSDM business for functions that are not related to one’s education.
8. Install, copy, or use any software in violation of licensing agreements, copyrights, or contracts.
9. Send copies of documents or include the work of others that are in violation of copyright law in electronic communications.
10. Obtain or attempt to access the files or electronic mail of others unless authorized by the owner or as required for legitimate business need, security issues, or investigative purposes.  Disclosure of any information obtained must abide of existing policy, laws, and regulations.
11. Harass, intimidate, or threaten others through electronic messages.
12. Construct false communication that appears to be from someone else.
13. Send or forward unsolicited email to lists of people you do not know.
14. Send, forward, or reply to email chain letters.
15. Re-transmit virus hoaxes.
16. Create or transmit (other than for properly supervised and lawful research purpose) any offensive, obscene or indecent images, data or other material, or any data capable of being resolved into obscene or indecent images.

The minimal technical specifications for related learning and assessment platforms may be obtained from the organization’s website provided to you in your pre-matriculation packet, orientation packet, and on Canvas student portal. (requirements are subject to change):

Technical Reference List - Direct Links can be found in Canvas Portal

• CANVAS
• ACME
• AxiUMCanopy
• Citrix
• Elentra
• Emmersion - True North
• Kaltura/Media Space
• Planmeca
• Poll Everywhere
• Respondus
• Vital Source
• WebEx

1. Recommended general specifications include the following.
   • Use only internet browsers that are supported by TTUHSC El Paso (do not use beta versions).
   • Exam certification must be performed on all personal laptops and/or institution owned systems that will be used for testing at least 10 minutes prior to exam.
   • Mobile devices, iPads, tablets, and laptops with integrated touchscreens are not allowed for testing.
   • Virtual machines (including applications) are unreliable when running some required exam platforms and thus are not allowed. Examples: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Windows 10 Pro with Hyper V.
   • Laptops should be able to connect to both wired and wireless networks (newer systems may require an additional Ethernet network adaptor or device).
   • Fast broadband internet connection is recommended.
   • In special cases where faculty or course directors promote certain educational applications, please consult application website for technical specifications.
2. Student non-compliance with technical protocols, specifically including the use of nonconforming personal devices for testing, may result in any of the following school designated actions:
   • Administration of the test on a device provided by the institution device (subject to availability)
   • A change in the modality of the affected student’s test (for example, administration of a paper version)
   • Changes in the setting and/or location of the test

*In addition, student non-compliance may be reported as a professionalism concern to the Office of Student Affairs, and potentially result in a referral to the Committee on Academic Performance and Standards.