OTA Program Procedure Manual

8/3/2019 OTA Program Procedure Manual

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Western Technical College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Policy and Procedure Manual


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Table of Contents

Attendance....................................................................................3Dress Code................................................................................4-5

Fieldwork Attendance...............................................................6-7

Fieldwork Evaluation and Grading.........................................8-10

Confidentiality............................................................................11

Action Plan for Unfulfilled Fieldwork..................................12-15

Honesty and Integrity.................................................................16

Sexual Harassment and Discrimination.....................................17

Drug and Alcohol Testing..........................................................18

AT Lab Use Agreement.............................................................19

Electronics and Laptop Computer Use.................................20-21

Student Signature.......................................................................22


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Attendance

Purpose: It is the intent of the OTA Program to promote student success and prepare students forfuture professional roles. To ensure a positive learning environment and practice identified

Professional Behaviors, attendance to OTA Program courses is considered mandatory. This

policy is designed to establish guidelines for clarity and consistency within the program.

Policy: All students are expected to attend OTA Program courses as scheduled. Course work is

not repeated; therefore, it in the event of an absence, excused or unexcused, it is the

responsibility of the student to obtain missed work. We recognize that some absences may be

unavoidable; in these cases, the stated procedures below would apply. For an absence to beconsidered excused in unexpected situations, the student should contact the instructor directly at

least 15 minutes before the class is

scheduled to begin. If an absence is anticipated, the student shall take the initiative to discuss thecircumstances with the instructor and make appropriate arrangements ahead of time. Examples

of absences are as follows, but are not limited to:

Excused

Valid personal/family illness, injury oremergency

Cancellation by instructor

Approved professional activitiesWTC holidays

Campus closed due to inclement weather

Scheduled civic or military responsibilities

Unexcused

Failure to contact the instructor asdescribed

Scheduling of personal appointments

Vacations or personal daysNot prepared for classes

Mismanagement of time

It is the responsibility of the student to obtain handouts, materials, assignments, lecture notes,etc. presented in class. Student should be proactive regarding completing assignments and exams

for excused and unexcused absences.

If attendance issues are identified by the program instructor(s), the student will receive feedback

and utilize necessary resources to improve attendance; the concerns will be noted on theProfessional Behavior Assessment. In the event of unexcused absences, the following procedure

will be in place:First occurrence - a verbal warning will be given.

Second occurrencea written notification of absences will be given.

Third occurrence - the appropriate personnel will call a meeting to devise a Student Success

Plan or a Student Intervention Plan.

This policy is accumulative for all courses in a semester across the OTA curriculum.


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Dress Code

In order to promote safety and a professional image for the OTA Program and WesternTechnical College, students in the OTA Program are required to follow a dress code when

completing fieldwork. The student will adhere to a professional dress code during community

and fieldwork experiences, as a representative of Western Technical College. This may includedesignated times during classroom activities in preparation for a professional role. The table

below lists what attire is acceptable and unacceptable when participating in fieldwork for the

OTA Program. This dress code is expected unless otherwise specified by your instructor or

facility.

Acceptable Unacceptable

Clothing Top with modestly cut

neckline and pattern

Clean, pressed, andunwrinkled

Conservative fit

Turtlenecks or t-shirts

Lab coats

Cardigan sweaters

Worn or tattered clothing

T-shirts with emblems or

advertisements

Sleeveless

Low cut that reveals

cleavage, midriff, or

lower background

Excessively tight or

baggy

Sweatshirts or athletic

wear

Pants Professional casual pants

Ankle length

Fitted at waist

Knee length skirts

Low rise, crop or capri

pants, flared wide,

spandex, jeans, or flannel

wear

Shoes/Hosiery Clean

low heeled, closed toe

shoes with traction Matching clean hose

Sandals or flip flops

Canvas or cloth

Open toed Barefoot in shoes

Outstanding colors or

designs


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Undergarments Required

Proper fit

Discreet

Bright and/or noticeablecolors, patterns, or lines

visible outside of

clothing

Accessories/Other Conservative watches

One pair post earrings in

earlobe only

Wedding rings andnecklaces which do not

present a safety hazard

Neon or bright colors

Hoop earrings or multiple

rings

Body jewelry other thanallowed earrings

Visible tattoos and body

art

Items that create noise or

distraction

Grooming

Clean and neat Hair maintained in

conservative style

Shoulder length hair may

need to be pulled back

Nails short, rounded,

clean, neutral polish

Conservative use ofcosmetics

Clean shaven, beard and

mustache neatly trimmed

Strong aftershave andperfumes

Artificial nails

Brightly colored nail

polish

Body odor including

residual smoke odor

Unconventional hair

color as style

Name Tags Worn at all times

Worn on upper torso near

shoulder or on a lanyard

Damaged or peeling tags

Multiple decorative

stickers

Miscellaneous No smoking or chewing

tobacco


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Fieldwork Attendance

LEVEL ITo meet Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards andWestern Technical College System (WTCS) credit requirements, students are scheduled for a

total of 104 hours of Level I experience over a 13 day period; there is intentional flexibility built

into the scheduling to account for variances in schedules/case loads at the fieldwork sites. Thehours to complete are calculated as follows:

Rotation Hours Scheduled Minimum Acceptable to

Pass

For one 13-day rotation 104 96 Hours



LEVEL II

Scheduled hours per rotation (WTCS credit

requirements)

Minimum acceptable hours per rotation

(ACOTE standards)

320 8 weeks full time per site schedule

(2 rotations scheduled for a total of 16 weeks)

Note: Hours in excess of the scheduled/minimum of one rotation does not entitle the student to

reduce/modify hours on the subsequent rotation; contact the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

(AFWC) in any cases where meeting the requirements is in question.

Attendance of the entire Fieldwork rotation is mandatory!Students are expected to make up any missed hours. This must be coordinated between the

fieldwork supervisor and the student. The student is responsible for keeping the academic

fieldwork coordinator informed of all changes in his or her schedule. Note: The fieldworkschedule does not necessarily coincide with the Western academic calendar; when there is a

discrepancy, the fieldwork site schedule/hours take precedence.


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Fieldwork Evaluation and Grading

Level I and II fieldwork experiences provide an integral, practice-based component to the OTA

Program curriculum. In addition to meeting ACOTE Standards for an accredited OTA EducationProgram, fieldwork supports the programs mission to prepare students to fulfill the role of atechnical level practitionerthrough a competency-based education. Evaluation methods and

determination of final grades shall be consistently applied across all Fieldwork sites/experiences.

Evaluation MethodsThe intent of evaluating Fieldwork (FW) performance is to ensure competency of students

abilities and serve as a tool for professional growth. Ongoing evaluation may include

observation, feedback, supervisory sessions, competency checks, site visits by programfaculty/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), consultation, etc. Designated evaluation

tools are used for final report of performance; for Level II FW experiences, the same tool is used

at the midterm point to provide measurable data and feedback to the student and assist with goalplanning for the remainder of the FW assignment. The approved evaluations are:

Level I Level I Student Fieldwork

Evaluation

Philadelphia Region

Fieldwork Consortium

Level II AOTA Fieldwork

Performance Evaluation for

OTA Students

AOTA, 2002

These tools were selected based on their validity, reliability, ease of administration and widelyaccepted use in OT/OTA education programs. The AOTA evaluation for Level II Fieldwork is

mandated by AOTA.


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Roles and Responsibilities

The student maintains a central role in ensuring his/her own skill level and communicating to theFieldwork Educator (FWE) on all matters related to performance and competency. The student

shall be apprised of the evaluation methods in the OTA Program Fieldwork Manual andparticipate actively in the process (e.g., completing a self-assessment, setting goals for personaland professional growth, seeking and utilizing feedback, etc.).

Both the FWE and the program ensure that the evaluation process occurs in a timely andeffective manner through timelines and due dates. Ongoing evaluation methods are determinedby the FW Educator based on the nature of the setting, population, student needs, etc. Aminimum of one direct contact (i.e., on-site visit, phone or email) is conducted by program

faculty/AFWC with the site during the students assignment to assess performance, solicit

feedback and provide consultation; site visits are documented on the Fieldwork ObservationForm, discussed and validated with the student. Formal evaluation tools are selected and

obtained by the Program and provided to the FWE; the faculty/AFWC will provide any neededtraining, resources or support for the appropriate use of the evaluation tools. The FWE completesthe evaluation form, either alone or in collaboration with cosupervisors and/or team members; it

is the FEW who determines the scored rating and documents comments/summaries. The FWE

meets with the student to communicate results of the evaluation and submits the completed formto the Program. It then becomes the responsibility of the Program to review the evaluation form,

contact the FWE with questions and assign the P/F grade for FW or FW component of a

connected course.

Grading Criteria

Level I Fieldwork: The fieldwork component is tied to an accompanying course. The final lettergrade reflects course requirements and a pass rating for the FW component; the pass score will

not be calculated in the letter grade of the course.

The Level I Fieldwork Student Evaluation is comprised of 12 items, with a total maximum scoreof 110 points, with emphasis on professional behaviors and beginning clinical skills. Passing is

determined by minimum competencies of no more than one item scored below 2 and no more

than two items scored below 3 on a scale of 1 -5; final determination of a passing grade isdependent on FWE/faculty observations and professional judgment (i.e., referencing applicable

sources including the AOTA Code

of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Program Outcomes, etc.).

These courses must be passed with a grade of C or better to progress in the Program. In the event

that a student does not pass Level I FW, an Incomplete will be given for a grade until the

rotation is completed. The student will follow the Human Services Division policy as outlined inthe WTC Student Handbook and in the OTA Program policy for FW repeat.


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Level II Fieldwork: Fieldwork is an independent course and the final grade is given as a

Pass/Fail grade. The AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation Form is comprised of 25 items,

with a total of 100 points. A minimum expectation for passing is set by AOTA at 70 points atfinal; as they are judged to be crucial to practice, items 1-3 must be demonstrated at a score of 3

or better on the final evaluation in order to pass FW. If there is any discrepancy between thenumerical score and other sources of student assessment or if the program has any question aboutthe results, the faculty/AFWC will contact the FWE immediately for discussion and clarification.

The faculty/AFWC reserve final judgment as to the final Pass/Fail grade.

Due Process

The student shall keep informed of evaluation methods, procedures and objectives to which

performance is measured; those determined by the Program are outlined in the OTA Program

Fieldwork Manual. FWEs tailor the objectives to fit the needs of the population/site, and thestudent should be informed of the objectives during orientation. The student assumes an active

role in his/her learning, which includes the evaluation process. If the student hasquestions/concerns, these should be first directed to the FWE promptly for clarification. If thestudent encounters continued concerns or

barriers to this collaboration, or if the student desires support in communicating to the FWE, the

student shall next contact Program faculty or the AFWC. It is presumed that effectivecommunication will decrease ambiguities and misinformation, thus promoting an effective

evaluation process to occur. If, at the final evaluation, the student disagrees with the report, the

student may attach an addendum to the evaluation form, outlining his/her concerns; this should

be discussed with the FWE and signed by both parties before the form is submitted; the AFWCwill then contact both parties upon receipt of the form to determine the circumstances. If the

student feels that the matters are sensitive, confidential or direct discussion with the FWE is not

feasible, the student may request to review the results of the evaluation. A request for reviewneeds be in writing and received by the ACFW within 10 days of the final evaluation. The

AFWC will meet with all concerned, informed parties to determine a final grade. If the student

does not receive satisfactory resolution, he/she may appeal, following the processes outlined in

the Grievance Procedure of the WTC Student Handbook.

Failure

In the event that a student fails any Level I or Level II FW assignment, performance will be

reflected in the final grade. One repeat of a FW rotation will be permitted, given availability of

FW sites and ACFW resources. If it is possible and feasible to arrange the make-up FW

according to the curriculum sequence and academic calendar, the student may be able tocontinue with coursework as scheduled and maintain current status in the program. However, if

the sequence or pre-requisites are interrupted, the student will not be able to continue with

subsequent coursework and would need to complete a reentry contract as outlined by the OTAfaculty and Division standards. In either situation, the student must complete a Student Success

Plan. In the event of a second FW failure, the student will be dismissed from the program.


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Confidentiality

According to the policy of the OTA Program, the AOTA Code of Ethics and HIPAA regulations,we respect and protect the right of confidentiality/privacy of all clients and fellow students

concerning their health care and other personal information. All students are responsible for

maintaining the confidentiality of this information, protecting it against loss, tampering, andaccess or use by unauthorized individuals.

Confidential Information: Verbal communications, written records, computer-based

information, other electronic, visual or digital media, films and observations are examples ofconfidential information, including but not limited to:

Individually Identifiable Health Information: Information, including all healthinformation that is created or received by a health care provider or student and related to the past,

present or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual. The

information either identifies the individual or there is a reasonable basis to believe the

information could be used to identify the individual.

Health Care Information: All information and records in any form, related to the

physical or mental health of a client prepared by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider or student, e.g., diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, condition, or other

information contained in medical records, photographs, video tapes, images, or verbal

reports. Personal Information: Client birth date, address, phone number, admission and

discharged dates, appointment or visit dates, doctors name, family or social and

financial information.

A student's failure to follow state, federal, and organizational confidentiality rules and

regulations may constitute in grounds for dismissal from the program.


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Program Policy and Procedures: Action Plan for UnfulfilledFieldwork Assignment

It is the mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program to promote student success andretention in all phases of the curriculum. We recognize that events may occur that preclude astudent from fulfilling fieldwork assignments, whether due to failure, incompletion or

interruption. We further recognize the need to honor contracts with affiliating agencies and

ensure stakeholder satisfaction. This policy seeks to provide a framework for decision-making

and to delineate the responsibility of both thestudent and the Program in such an event.

Interrupted Status

Student unable to fulfill assignment due to unforeseeable events beyond the students/programs

control. This may include, but is not limited to: catastrophic illness/injury, call to active militaryduty, site unable to accommodate student for extenuating circumstances, etc. (Note: Specific

conditions must be met and Western protocol followed through the Admissions Office to claim a

full military or medical Withdrawal.)

Procedures

1. All parties will confer to discuss factors and make a joint decision to interrupt FW; this can be done at any point

during the scheduled FW.

2. The student will meet with the FWC/ Program Head to discuss intent to progress in the program and outline

conditions of continuation in a Re-Entry Plan. The student is advised to consult with the Admissions Office for

process of a Withdrawal status and ramifications of refunds, financial aid, etc.

3. The FWC will arrange the alternate FW opportunity/schedule at the same or comparable site, contingent upon

availability of sites/contracts. This will be arranged as soon as student is available to resume participation and in

manner to fulfill any applicable curriculum prerequisites.

4. If less than one month has lapsed from the date of interruption to return, student may be obligated to meet only

the unfulfilled objectives/time requirements and any additional reorientation requested by the site. The student may

repeat the entire FW experience to enhance learning and success, if so deemed per site request and/or parameters of

the Re-Entry Plan.

5. If more than one month has lapsed from date of interruption to return, the student will be required to repeat the

entire FW assignment and complete any related Competency Checks as determined by Program faculty to ensure the

safety and welfare of the consumers and colleagues.6. A grade of Incomplete will be entered, with an appropriate revision submitted upon completion of the re-

scheduled FW. If the student has not secured a qualified Withdrawal nor met the requirements for re-entry, the

Incomplete will convert to an F within four weeks of the ensuing semester.

7. A Student Success Plan may be developed to ensure a smooth transition and that support mechanisms/services are

in place before resuming FW; this will be at the discretion of the Program, based on the reason/extent of the FW

interruption.


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Program Policy and Procedures: Action Plan for Unfulfilled FieldworkAssignment

Incomplete StatusDuring the course of FW, the student's ability to competently, safely or professionally continue

an FW assignment is called to question (i.e., as expressed in either Program or FW site

objectives/policy, either explicitly or implicitly.) this may include, but is not limited to: poorattendance, performance or safety concerns that affect service delivery, inappropriate

communications, interference with teamwork, competing obligations, etc.

Procedure

1. Per Program practice, faculty/FWC will visit site to assess performance and consult with allparties to promote student success. A Student Success Plan may be initiated at this time, in

collaboration with the student and FWE; the plan will outline the responsibilities, steps and

timeframes for successful completion of FW. The plan may include, but is not limited to: accessto student support services, behavioral expectations, adjustment of personal schedule,

communications/follow-up visit by AFWC, etc. The Plan will include clear consequences for

unacceptable performance and/or behavior.

2. The FWE/site administration retain the right to immediately dismiss a student from the site for

gross misconduct/incompetence (e.g., impaired practitioner, major safety infringement, illegal

activity, harassment, etc.); the FW Educator shall contact the AFWC immediately for

notification and consultation. The student's return to the FW assignment shall be contingent on

full clearance/approval of FW Educator and AFWC (e.g., internal site procedures, investigation,implementation of Western policies, Student Success Plan, etc.)

3. The final decision to terminate the FW assignment rests with the AFWC. Reasons fortermination shall be clearly communicated with the student and documented by the Program.

Other appropriate parties may be included in the communication as relevant to the situation (e.g.,

Associate Dean, counselor, college support services, etc.)

4. The student and Program Head/AFWC shall meet to review the factors; the final decision to

repeat FW is at the discretion of the Program. If the student is to progress in the Program, A

Student Success and Re-Entry Plan shall be established with required Competency Checks, and

the student must repeat the entire FW experience as outlined in the curriculum. The AFWC willselect and arrange an appropriate FW site/schedule; the choice will be based on student learning

and supervision needs, relevant prerequisites/curriculum sequence, available contracts/sites andother scheduled FW assignments.

5. Per Western policy, a grade of I (Incomplete) will be entered on the student's progress report;the grade will convert to F (Fail) if the FW assignment is not completed satisfactorily within the

first four weeks of the following semester (for FW scheduled in the Spring, this refers to the

following Fall semester). The Program upholds all Division and college policies for repeatedcoursework, program retention and appeal processes.


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Failure Status

A.) Student does not meet competency criteria at a passing rate of 78% at the time of Final

evaluation.

ORB.) Student is dismissed by the site for gross misconduct/incompetence and determined unable to

return.

OR

C.) Student does not fulfill obligations set forth for completing Interrupted or Incomplete FW.OR

D.) Student independently terminates FW without involvement of AFWC.

Procedure

1. When the student reaches the Final evaluation period (with or without a Student SuccessPlan), the FW Educator will complete the designated FW performance evaluation to reflect

demonstrated level of competency; the FW Educator may consult with the AFWC during the

evaluation process and communicate results/recommendations. The Program Head/AFWC use

the evaluation to assign the final grade, seeking clarification from the FW Educator as needed. If

so determined, an F (Fail) grade will be applied to that course.2. If the student fails for reasons of dismissal, not meeting established obligations or

independently withdrawing, an F (Fail) grade will be applied to the student's progress reportimmediately after the failure is determined.

3. In all cases, the Program upholds all Division and college policies for repeated coursework,

program retention and appeal processes. Any decision to repeat the FW is at the discretion of theProgram, and if so decided, will proceed as outlined in Procedure, Step 4 of the Incomplete

status. In this event, the student must officially re-register for the FW course through the

Registrar's Office, with its associated financial implications.


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Related Parameters

Per the program policy guiding FW Evaluation and Grades: One repeat of a FW rotation will be

permitted, given availability of FW sites and ACFW resources. If the make-up FW assignment

can be arranged according to the curriculum sequence and academic calendar, the student may

be able to continue with coursework as scheduled and maintain current status in the program.

However, if the sequence or pre-requisites are interrupted, the student will not be able to

continue with subsequent coursework and would need to complete a re-entry contract as outlined

by the OTA faculty and Division standards. In either situation, the student must complete aStudent Success Plan. In the event of a second FW failure, the student will be dismissed from the

program. Therefore, if Level I FWrequirements are not met, the student may not proceed to

Level II FW. Since the two are not pre/corequisites,a student not completing Level IIA FW maynot necessarily be ineligible for the scheduledLevel IIB FW assignment; the circumstances for

the Incomplete/Failure (as determined by the OTAProgram faculty) and specifics of the Re-

Entry Plan would determine the student's ability to continue

with a subsequent Level II placement. If the student repeats a Level II FW experience, it must be

completed with seven months of the end of the spring semester in which it was originally

scheduled.

KeyFWFieldwork

FW EducatorFieldwork Educator (at clinical site)

AFWCAcademic Fieldwork Coordinator (at college)ProgramOTA Program

DivisionDivision of Health and Public Safety


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Honesty and Integrity

Issues of honesty and integrity are crucial to the OTA Program. There are three reasons why thisissue needs to be addressed:

1. AOTA Code of Ethics expressly restricts any behavior that constitutes plagiarism, copying orfraudulent claims. Adherence to the profession's ethical code is an essential part of the education

and professional preparation of the OTA.

2. Since the program is competency-based, it is through the careful administration ofassignments and testing that one's ability to perform in the clinic is determined. We have an

obligation to fieldwork supervisors, potential employers and the public to assure that each

graduate possesses the necessary skills. Therefore, the instructor must be able to document withconfidence that each student possesses and submits his or her own work.

3. Western Technical College reinforces that students are completing the requirements of the

course through various learning sources, but that the student's work reflects their learning andpreparation for the workforce.

The following two sections in the Western Student Handbook under Student Rights andResponsibilities will be closely adhered to:

1. Academic Dishonesty Definition and Student Expectations

2. Student Code of Conduct

The above policies and procedures may be found on Western Technical College's website at:

http://www.westerntc.edu


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Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

In order to provide a safe environment, conducive to learning and development of professionalbehavior, the OTA Program upholds all college/stakeholder guidelines and the AOTA Code of

Ethics regarding fair and equal conduct.Discrimination and sexual harassment of any kind will

not betolerated. This includes actions aimed at or toward another based on race, color, religion,cultural background, gender, disability, age, or sexual orientation. Students are asked to exercise

prudence in judging a matter as discriminatory or harassing. For example, the instructor may

need to address

sensitive issues in the context of the course which could be uncomfortable to some students, butwould not constitute the definition of harassment.

What a student should do if he or she feels harassed or discriminated against:

1. If appropriate, the student should directly and respectfully address the direct party with his or

her concerns.

2. If a student feels that he or she is subject to discrimination or sexual harassment from another

student in the OTA Program, the student should report this to the instructor for further action.

The instructor is unable to assist a student who does not come forward with his or her concerns.

3. If a student feels he or she is subject to discrimination or sexual harassment by the instructor,

the student should report their concerns to the OTA Program Head. If not satisfied, the studentmay then contact the Dean of Health and Public Safety (K211) or the acting supervisor.

4. Refer to the Western Student Handbook and the Western Technical College website at

http://www.westerntc.edu for policies and procedures for sexual harassment and discrimination.


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Drug and Alcohol Testing

As per the Western Technical College Alcohol and Drug Policy for Employees and Students(C0105), Western is committed to maintaining a drug-free learning and work environment. To

ensure a safe and effective learning and work environment, and to provide a tool for faculty and

staff to use in identifying and responding to situations where student drug and/or alcohol use issuspected, a drug/alcohol testing policy has been created. This is inclusive of any experiences in

which a student is a representative of Western Technical College (e.g., fieldwork, conferences,

SOTA events, etc.)

Student Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy

Any student at Western who appears to be impaired or under the influence of alcohol or acontrolled substance may be required to submit to drug and/or alcohol testing (paid for by the

College) under the following circumstances:

1. If a faculty or staff member has reasonable cause to believe that the student is impaired orunder the influence of a controlled substance(s), abused prescription drug(s), alcohol, or other

mind-altering substance(s).

2. If a student is involved in an accident or incident where safety precautions were violated by a

careless act resulting in injury to a person or damage to equipment.


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AT Lab Use AgreementHealth Science Center

Assistive Technology LabH4024

As this lab has multiple users and learning activities, these agreements are designed to maintain

the efficiency, accessibility, and fair use of the Assistive Technology Lab.

Users must not use the lab for other than academic purposes. Access to the lab/equipment is

not in itself a right, but a privilege. Inappropriate use may result in withdrawal of this privilege

and/or discipline.

Equipment may not be removed from the lab unless by special arrangement with the

supervisor of the program (i.e., to record research data in the field, to document fieldwork data,trial use with a fieldwork consumer, etc).

Inappropriate use of the Internet and other networks will be deemed abuse of computer

privileges and may result in loss of privileges or further discipline. Examples of inappropriateuse of the networks include, but are not limited to the following:

a. participation in activities that place a strain on computer resources (e.g.,.,

chain letters, broadcasting announcements, mass printing, huge downloads)

b. viewing offensive or frivolous materials not necessitated by an assignment

(e.g., pornography, money schemes, gambling sites, practical jokes, ads, etc.)

c. the sending of offensive and/or harassing messages

Internet usage is not private. The network administrators and lab supervisors may have the

ability to view all messages and files of any user. Staff do not routinely view others files and

intend to keep files private, even though such privacy cannot be guaranteed.All users are responsible for backing up their data to their own storage media. Documents

stored on the hard drive can not be considered permanent, due to the multiple users in the lab,

inadvertent deletions and periodic system clean up.

Equipment and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use.

This applies to all network wiring, hardware, and in-room jacks. Users should not alter operating

systems, major settings or attempt to fix viruses. If technical problems occur, contact PC

Services at extension 55145.

When using the Internet, abide by all applicable laws governing computer software use,privacy, copyrights, and recognition of intellectual property. Users may not copy software.

Absolutely no food or drinks are allowed in the lab.

When ending use of equipment/work station, it is the users responsibility to close programs,uninstall hardware, resume original settings, shut down properly (including monitors) and putaway all materials.


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Electronics and Laptop Computer Use Agreement

Electronic devices are intended for academic use and access of OTA Program faculty/students.This agreement is designed to maintain the efficiency, accessibility, and fair use of the

equipment.

Electronic Devices

1. Use of all electronics are intended and restricted to academic purposes (e.g., presentations to

community members, preparation of course materials, course fulfillment requirements duringFW education, data collecting, reporting, etc.). Access to electronics is not a in itself a right, but

a privilege. Inappropriate use will result in withdrawal of this privilege.

2. Electronics may not be removed or borrowed from the lab unless by special arrangement withfaculty. Electronics should be reserved in advance and the dates of use clearly identified. The

borrower should also be clearly identified by name and student identification number.

Electronics shall not be lent or exchanged with other persons.

3. Care should be taken to prevent damage or loss (e.g., proper shut down when complete withtasks, return to case, keep in secured area, prevent food/beverage spillage, etc.)

Laptop Computers

In addition to the policies above, the policies below should be adhered to when using the OTA

Program's laptop computers:

1. All users of the laptop are responsible for backing up their data to their own storage media.

Documents stored on the hard drive cannot be considered permanent, due to the multiple users,

inadvertent deletions and periodic system clean up. Save documents on your drive and/or deleteand personal files from the C-Drive before returning the unit. (Note: This unit takes CDs, DVDs

and USB drives, but NOT floppy disks.)

2. Laptop equipment, wiring or operating systems may not be modified. If technical problemsoccur, contact OTA Program faculty or Western's PC Tech Support at (608) 789-9122.

3. If you load or reconfigure for your own use (e.g., install a printer to use, reset display features,

etc.), restore the original setting before returning the laptop.

4. Use the AC power plug whenever possible to reduce wear on the battery pack.5. When using the Internet, abide by all applicable laws governing computer software use,

privacy, copyrights, and recognition of intellectual property. Users may not copy software.


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Electronics and Laptop Computer Use Agreement

After reading the policy on Electronics and Laptop Computer Use, please read and understandthe form below. You must obtain and fill out this form every time you borrow any electronic

equipment from the OTA Program. If you need additional forms, ask the OTA Program faculty

for them.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I, __________________________________________, agree to all conditions as documented

in the Electronics and Laptop Computer Use Agreement. This equipment

________________________ is to be borrowed from (date of issue) ______________ to (date

of return) ______________. I understand that failure to comply with the agreement may

result in loss of the use of electronics. I also understand that failure to return the

equipment in good condition will result in

withholding of grades in OTA Program courses in the concurrent semester. Furthermore, I

agree to be heldfinancially accountable if the electronics I borrowed are lost, stolen or

damaged.

_____________________________ ______________________________Student Signature Faculty Signature

______________________________ ______________________________

Student ID # Date

The electronic equipment has been returned as agreed on (date) ____________.

Student Initials_______

Faculty Initials_______


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22



Student Signature

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the following policies

and procedures found in this document:

Attendance

Dress Code

Fieldwork Attendance

Fieldwork Evaluation and Grading

Confidentiality

Action Plan for Unfulfilled FieldworkHonesty and Integrity

Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Laptop Computer Use

AT Lab Use Agreement

Additionally, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the contents of the WesternStudent Handbook, and I agree to abide by all policies and procedures found in both this

manual and in the Western Student Handbook.

Please sign and date below and return this page to your program head.

________________________________ ___________________Student's Signature Date