General Policies
University Policy Number 1303
Subject: Telecommunications Spaces and Cabling
Responsible Parties: Vice President for Information Technology
and CIO; Director, Network Engineering and Technology
Procedures: Not Applicable
Related University Policies: Not Applicable
I. SCOPE
II. POLICY STATEMENT
III. DEFINITIONS
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
V. COMPLIANCE
VI. EFFECTIVE DATE
I. SCOPE
Administrative Policy Number 1303 applies to all University owned buildings
or leased spaces requiring installation of communications cabling, and
all University faculty, staff, students, corporate partners, and contractors.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
Secure and reliable data and voice communications networks are critical
components of the University's infrastructure. However, the security and
reliability of these systems cannot be ensured if they are not installed
and maintained in accordance with accepted industry standards. Additionally,
materials and configurations that do not conform to University standards
and practices can create long-term maintenance problems, and significantly
increase cost of ownership over the lifetime of the cable – typically
ten years or more. This policy defines the roles and responsibilities
of the Information Technology Unit (ITU) and the University community
with respect to planning, installing, and maintaining communications cabling
within and between University occupied buildings.
III. DEFINITIONS
Communications Cabling: A generic term for wire or optical fiber
cables intended to be used in the transmission of voice, video, or data
signals.
Telecommunications Pathways: The physical path and supporting structures through which inter-building and intra-building communications cabling is routed. Pathway components may include cable trays, conduits, raceways, “J-hooks”, manholes, duct banks, and other facilities installed for the protection, concealment, and support of communications cabling.
Telecommunications Room: An enclosed area housing telecommunications
cabling, patch panels, and interconnections, sometimes referred to as
a “telecommunications closet.” Generally, one or more telecommunications
rooms on each floor of a building serve as distribution points for communications
cabling installed to locations on that floor. These intermediate rooms
also serve as a demarcation point between the horizontal cabling for end-users
and the building’s backbone cabling system.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Commonwealth of Virginia has published policies and minimum standards
to be followed by all state agencies during the installation of data and
voice communications networks. Responsibility for electronic communication
resources at all campuses of George Mason University resides with the
Vice President for Information Technology. The Information Technology
Unit’s Network Engineering group, under the direction of the Vice
President for Information Technology, is responsible for setting local
standards and policies for the installation, maintenance, and usage of
all telecommunications pathways, rooms, and cabling.
Requests for access to, or usage of, University telecommunications rooms and facilities must be approved by the Director, Network Engineering and Technology.
All University employees, contractors, and business partners are responsible
for contacting ITU Network Engineering in advance of any communications
cabling installations.
New Installations
Installation of new communications cabling in University occupied spaces must be performed to current University and industry standards, and must meet all state, federal, and local regulations including fire codes. ITU Network Engineering shall be consulted in advance of any installation of new communications cabling, in new or existing telecommunications pathways.
Exceptions: Communications cabling installed on behalf of, and strictly
for use by, outside organizations or business partners occupying University
facilities may not be required to meet all University standards for materials
or installation techniques. However, ITU Network Engineering must review
and approve all installations since they involve University telecommunications
spaces and facilities. If a proposed installation would have a negative
impact on the availability, maintainability, safety, or security of University
facilities it may be disallowed until the deficiencies in the plan are
corrected.
Access to Telecommunications Rooms
Telecommunications rooms often house critical data networking and/or
voice equipment, and provide interconnection points for many end users.
Improperly secured telecommunications spaces can compromise the security
and performance of the University network by providing access for intruders
to steal passwords, destroy data, or use University network and Internet
resources for unauthorized purposes. Even if no harm is intended, a single
error in connection can cause service outages for large areas of the campus.
For these reasons, access to telecommunications rooms must be restricted
to persons authorized by ITU Network Engineering.
V. COMPLIANCE
All persons installing communications cabling in University owned or leased spaces, or accessing University telecommunications rooms shall comply with this policy. Grievance matters with this policy are directed to the Executive Director, ITU Technology Systems Division for resolution. If the conflict is not resolved to the satisfaction of Network Engineering or the complainant, the matter may be escalated to the Vice President for Information Technology for further review and action.
VI. EFFECTIVE DATE
The policies herein are effective November 1, 2004. This Administrative
Policy shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually to become
effective at the beginning of the University's fiscal year, unless otherwise
noted.
Approved:
_______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President
________________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost
Date approved: 11/2/04