GSBS logo
 
Degrees of Discovery logo
 
[Resources] [Policies] [Distance Learning] [Classroom A/V] [Website]

Information Technology Policies

Passwords. Passwords are NEVER to be shared with anyone. It is a violation of University policy to share a password. Passwords expire every 90 days. You will be sent an electronic message 2 weeks before your account expiration date, at which time you should go to the website below and change your password. Passwords must meet a "strong" complexity requirement as outlined in the password change procedure.
    You may change your password at anytime using this link: https://apps.uth.tmc.edu/useradmin/faces/index.jsp
    Email. You are responsible for monitoring official email from GSBS and UTHSC-H which will only be sent to this email account. Forwarding to other email accounts is not permitted. There is no push to mobile wireless devices.
    Account Duration. A change in your official status as a student according to the UTHSC-H Office of the Registrar will cause your network and email accounts to be deleted based on any of the following:
    1. You withdraw from all your classes.
    2. You are administratively withdrawn, dismissed, or placed on leave.
    3. 90 days have passed since the end of your most recent term of enrollment.
    4. You graduated and 90 days have passed since the last day of your final term of Enrollment.
    Portable Storage Devices. Beginning October 22, 2008, all University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) confidential or sensitive information that is stored or transported on portable media must be encrypted. Portable storage media are to include any device that allows for the removal and transport of computer files, also known as external hard drives and flash drives.
    This policy applies to all UTHSC-H faculty, staff, students and recognized university associates who have access to university-owned data and/or computer resources. This policy specifically addresses encryption solutions for external drives and flash drives. Users are responsible for storing confidential or sensitive data on encrypted portable devices, or by encrypting such files if stored on unencrypted portable devices. Users are responsible for reporting incidences of non-compliance.
    All purchased portable storage devices must include built-in encryption technology compatible with university encryption standards established in policy by the UTHSC-H Information Security department. Please note that some portable devices have encryption as an "option", but can still operate without encryption. These devices do NOT meet the standard for this policy. For a current list of devices that have built-in required encryption technology which meets the UTHSC-H encryption policy, please contact the GSBS IT Manager.
    Personal Laptops. Any laptop used to connect to the UTHSC-H network should have a working and updated anti-virus scanning software installed. 
    It is recommended that personal laptops should have password protection at the operating system level and have hard drive encryption active (BitLocker for Windows Vista and 7; Filevault for Mac Os X)
    Graduate Research Assistants and Faculty requiring the use of a laptop to fulfill their duties should request and secure approval and funding for a laptop from their department, lab or program if possible.
    UTHSC-H Policies
    The following sites have policies which govern information technology use at the institutional level.  Not all policies affect GSBS directly; however, most IT Security and Network Operations policies do apply to all GSBS computers and resources.
    UT System Policies
    State/Federal Governing Policies