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The mission of CAE is to provide you with computing services, guidance, and resources to assist you in achieving excellence as an engineering professional. To complete this mission, CAE needs your cooperation and the cooperation of your fellow students. By following the guidelines below, and using a little common sense, you can help yourself and your fellow students succeed at CAE.

Please read and know the UW policy for use of Information Technology, located HERE. It is your responsibility to know the policies. This page is meant to supplement the UW policy and does not supersede it. Please also read the CAE lab use guidelines.

You may find that there are three fundamental ethical principles in using computers:

  • Use computers in a responsible, sensible and legal manner
  • Respect the privacy of others
  • Respect copyrights, licenses and the intellectual property of others

Consequences for violating these principles vary from temporary suspension of your CAE account to expulsion from school and even criminal prosecution. If your account is suspended, you must see the User Services Manager (room 186 CAE) to appeal for reinstatement.

Computer-Aided Engineering labs offer a unique computing environment. You, as a user of CAE resources, may be bound by licensing agreements and other rules not applicable to other University computers.

Here are some things to think about when using CAE computer labs:

  • You will have access to software through XenApp, tethered software and more. Know the rules for using and downloading them. Some software may only be downloaded on computers owned by UW.
  • Please do not remotely log into a workstation that is in use and run a large program such as Ansys. The person sitting at the workstation has priority and should be able to run large programs.
  • Workstations must be attended. Reserving a workstation by placing a sign on it or by locking it is prohibited.
  • You may not be simultaneously logged into more than one workstation, allow other people use your account or log in as someone other than yourself. This is a UW policy and it is enforced at CAE.
  • CAE reserves the right to require that machines be used for course work only. People needing to do work take precedence over those playing games or sleeping at a workstation.
  • Playing games on lab machines can be distracting to others around you. In addition, it reflects poorly on CAE when visitors walk through. Please refrain from gaming, but if you need to take a break, be considerate. Games with a lot of movement and action are distracting and should be avoided.
  • Lab computers are always being used. If no one is logged in, the machine is being used by Condor. Please do not turn off or unplug lab computers. In addition, powering down a linux computer may disconnect a remote user. If you are experiencing a problem with a lab machine, please contact the Help Desk at 262-5349.
  • Please do not display pictures on your screen that may offend visitors or other students. Many college deans and company representatives walk through CAE’s labs. It is important that CAE labs and classrooms be places where everyone can feel comfortable. Use common sense and be thoughtful about others’ sensitivities.
  • Food is not permitted at any CAE workstation. Drinks are allowed if they are in a sealed, spill proof container. Food particles and spilled drinks are a constant source of maintenance and health issues.
  • Printers have problems...and often. Please do not try to fix a printer problem on your own, it invariably makes the problem worse. Call the Help Desk at 262-5349. Opening paper trays is not allowed, particularly to load your own paper.
  • Using CAE resources for personal gain is not permitted. Contracting with an organization outside of the UW and using CAE’s computers to carry out the contract on your student account is unethical and illegal. If the outside organization is part of the UW, have the organization contact CAE (or DoIT) about purchasing computer time.

Remember that when you are using CAE resources (either labs or through VPN), you are assigned a College of Engineering ip address that can be tracked back to YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read about CAE policies.