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Operating Policy

Purpose

This policy establishes responsibility for the actual installation, maintenance, repair, of campus telecommunications systems, cable facilities and related systems with Telecommunication Services and Cable Engineering Services, unless specifically delegated by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technologies.

Overview

All on-site work involving repair, maintenance, installation of telecommunications systems must be accomplished by or coordinated through these Divisions. This includes the selection and installation of any service from a local or long distance telecommunication vendor (i.e. NYNEX, AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.) and services. All contractors, if engaged, are also supervised on-site by Telecommunication Services or Cable Engineering Services Staff. All buildings owned or leased by the campus shall be included in this policy.

Application

This policy applies, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Installation of telecommunications service in new or existing buildings including telephones, low speed data communications, voice processing, long distance and local network connections;
2. The routine maintenance, major maintenance, repairs, or installation of all campus telecommunications systems;
3. The upgrading of campus telecommunication systems;
4. The contracting for local or long distance network services including, long distance volume purchases; 56K, T-1 and higher speed connections to the campus; and long distance calling cards;
5. The use of any inside or outside cable plant including copper, coaxial and fiber optic cable; inside conduit or cable pathways; outside conduit and manholes associated with the campus telecommunications systems.

Rationale

Campus telecommunications systems are critical to the safety and smooth operation of the campus. Work performed by non-telecommunications personnel often violates campus standards, can disrupt campus telecommunication systems, can create hazardous situations, and may result in the ineffective expenditure of funds. If Telecommunication Services and Cable Engineering Services are unaware of the result of such work, records will not be maintained and disruption of services may occur at a later date, or worse, a staff member may be physically harmed due to unrecorded alterations or installations.

Systems not integrated with the other campus telecommunications systems can cause confusion and difficulty for on-campus and outside callers. Contracts for long distance service without adequate monitoring for fraud can expose the University to huge financial liabilities. Aggregation of services ensure that the entire University receives the lowest possible costs for equipment and service.

Work of this nature may also circumvent authorizations and/or approvals required by the campus, the University, the Board of Trustees, or the state executive or legislative branches. In addition, unauthorized work can violate University agreements with insurance carriers, regulations by various state or federal agencies (the Department of Public Utilities and the FCC), union agreements, state or federal statues, local ordinances, and requirements imposed by other regulatory agencies.

545-2171
phoneservice@oit.umass.edu