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Policy Development Process | Deployment and Use of Wireless Data Networks  | Interim Policy on Disclosure or Exposure of Personal Information | Policy on Institutional Data | Payment for Employee Home and Off-Campus Internet Access | Responsible Use of University Computing and Network Resources | Retention of Electronic Records | Web Policy and Guidelines

Information Technology Policy and Services

Frequently Asked Questions for the Policy on University Payment for Employee Home and Off-Campus Internet Access

What service levels are appropriate for employee home and off-campus Internet access?

There are a number of circumstances under which allowances for various  levels of home and travel Internet connection services may be appropriate  for university faculty and staff members if the employing unit or sponsored  research project has available funding.

An allowance for high-speed service is appropriate for:

• Faculty, staff, or student employees involved in research dealing  with large amounts of data requiring use of high speeds or high quality-of-service, especially where a sponsored research project provides funds to support  access.

• Employees whose out-of-normal-hours duties require heavy use of multimedia resources, computer aided design, medical imaging, or scientific visualization tools.

• Computer support professionals who are on-call at home and need  high-speed access to fulfill out-of-normal-hours job responsibilities.

• Faculty members who often work from home and rely heavily on web resources and tools for course development, course delivery, and instructional support.

If the need is only for reliable out-of-normal-hours access without intensive data transfers or multimedia resource use, an allowance for lower speed and lower cost dial-up access such as OSUWeb.net is the most appropriate choice. Allowances for OSUWeb.net can be paid by internal fund transfer and are the most economical for the university.

If an employee travels often and needs to connect regularly for extended periods, an allowance for a subscription to service from a commercial provider with no-cost toll-free service or with local numbers in many cities may be the most appropriate choice. Some providers, for example AT&T Global, have wide international coverage.

What high-speed Internet Service Providers are available in the Columbus area?

A number of high-speed connection services are available in the Columbus area. These include multiple service providers on Time-Warner Cable including Road Runner, EarthLink, and AOL; Road Runner on Insight Cable; WOW! Internet and Cable service with discounted OSU faculty and staff pricing, DSL service from providers such as SBC; and satellite services available through retail outlets such as Radio Shack stores. Satellite services are often available in outlying areas not serviced by Columbus region cable modem and DSL providers. Consult service providers for details.

What dial-up Internet Service Providers are available?

UNITS OSUWeb.net dial-up service is available at $1.95 - $8.95 per month depending on service level. OSUWeb.Net offers 800 number long distance service which can be charged to OSU administrative long distance calling cards. OSUWeb.Net service is the most economical for the university as costs can be charged through internal university billing. AT&T Internet Connection for Education (ICE) dialup service is available to the OSU community at $5.95 - $15.95 per month depending on service level. AT&T offers service in a number of areas outside the US. AOL's high-speed cable modem service on Time-Warner Cable can include nationwide AOL dial-up service at an additional charge. There are also a number of other local and national service providers available at similar prices. Many are listed under Internet On-Line Service Providers in the Columbus Yellow Pages.

When would an allowance for more than one Internet connection service be appropriate?

There are a number of circumstances under which allowances for various levels of home and travel Internet connection services may be appropriate for university faculty and staff members if the employing unit or sponsored research project has available funding. For example a faculty member with a business need for a high-speed connection at home may also travel regularly and need national or international dial-up subscription service. If a service such as AOL on Time-Warner cable (with included nationwide AOL dialup service) does not meet the faculty member's needs, then an allowance to cover a high-speed service such as Road Runner as well as an international dial-up service such as AT&T ICE may be appropriate.

Why is there no tax issue with HomeNet service?

HomeNet service is provided though a limited number of relatively slow modems based in an obsolete technology. All of the lines have connection time limits and lines are often busy. Therefore, the service has been assessed as providing minimal value compared to the guaranteed high-speed service available through OSUWeb.net and commercial Internet service providers. This minimal value does not incur a tax liability.

How does the policy deal with role-based Internet access accounts used by a group of employees?

Role-based accounts are used by a group of employees only to support a specific unit function. These include accounts such as system maintenance account provided by a university unit, shared by a number of systems programmers and used by the programmer on call. Since each individual's use is relatively minimal, such accounts are not considered an individual employee account and this policy does not apply.

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