Student Technology and Liability Agreement

Purpose of the Agreement 

The purpose of this agreement is to specify the responsibilities of students receiving and using university-owned equipment and to provide students with important information about policies that govern the use of technology owned and managed by The Ohio State University. 

 

Sole Use of the Equipment

  • You have been assigned university-owned equipment and software or mobile applications (apps) for your sole use and benefit as a learning tool while actively enrolled as a student at Ohio State. You are assuming responsibility for the item(s) as long as they are issued to you.
  • The use of these items is a privilege that can be revoked. Inappropriate use or neglect can result in limits to or loss of use of university resources. You agree to take care of and protect the equipment. 
  • You will not attempt to sell, give away, or otherwise attempt to transfer ownership of the device or related accessories (including chargers, cables, and software) in any way. You are responsible for any third-party (someone other than yourself) usage of the equipment.
  • You understand that Apple is permitted to use your information to create or enhance Apple products and services. However, Apple is not permitted to share your information with third parties (for example, other companies or individuals) for the third parties' own use. The Apple Terms and Conditions are available at apple.com. 

 

Using Apps

You can download many educational apps from the Apple App Store. Simply log in using your Apple ID to download the apps you need for your classes or studies. You can also download specific Ohio State supported academic apps from Self Service. From time-to-time, Ohio State pushes new apps, operating systems and app updates to the iPad. Always keep your device and apps up-to-date for the best experience. Ohio State will send you notifications if your device and/or apps are out of date or have a potential security update that needs to be installed. 

Each app on the iPad has its own privacy policy that explains how your personal and other information is collected, used, shared and secured.

 

Returning/Purchasing Equipment

  • You must immediately return/check-in this equipment and all related accessories (including chargers, cables, and software) at the request of the university, including representatives of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and the Office of Distance Education and eLearning (ODEE).
  • If you withdraw or transfer from the university, you will receive notifications from Ohio State to return the equipment and all related accessories within 30 days, or you may purchase the equipment at its depreciated value (as determined by the Digital Flagship Equipment Value Chart). Failure to return or purchase the equipment may result in it being remotely reset to the original configuration or disabled and rendered nonfunctional with a charge for its replacement applied to your university accounts through the Bursar’s Office. Past-due accounts with the Bursar’s Office may incur finance charges and trigger collection efforts. For all returns contact the OCIO Service Desk (614-688-4357).
  • Upon successful completion of your undergraduate program (or upon purchase if you elect to leave the university before graduating), Ohio State will transfer ownership of the device and its accessories to you. When you graduate (or purchase your device) from Ohio State, you will receive a communication explaining how to continue using the apps and the information they contain and back up and take your content with you from apps that were provided via your active Ohio State enrollment.  
  • Should ownership of the equipment be transferred from Ohio State to you (either because you have successfully completed your undergraduate studies or you purchased the equipment from the university upon your withdrawal) the university will remove all management, including Ohio State’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) service and any apps owned by Ohio State. It is necessary for the device to be reset to its factory state for complete removal from the MDM. Allow 7-10 business days after graduation or the purchase of the device for the device to be fully processed and disowned by the university. 

 

In the Event of Loss, Theft, or Damage 

  • If the iPad is damaged, you will be held financially responsible for the repair or replacement of the equipment, unless a financial hardship waiver is claimed. The iPad includes an initial period of AppleCare+ coverage for both manufacturer defects and accidental damage. The cost for repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage under this agreement is $49 (plus applicable tax), limited to two repairs over the initial three years of AppleCare+ coverage. To check the AppleCare+ coverage of your device visit checkcoverage.apple.com. 
  • If the Apple Pencil or Apple Smart Keyboard are damaged, you will be held financially responsible for the repair or replacement of the equipment, unless a financial hardship waiver is claimed. The Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard include an initial period of AppleCare+ coverage for both manufacturer defects and accidental damage. The cost for repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage under the agreement is $29 (plus applicable tax). For details on AppleCare+ coverage visit checkcoverage.apple.com.  
  • AppleCare repairs can be made at any Apple Store, TechHub, or by contacting AppleCare (getsupport.apple.com or 800-800-2775 option 3). 
  • If the iPad is lost or stolen, you may be issued a “loaner” device for your use while enrolled as a student at Ohio State. This “loaner” device must be returned to the university at the conclusion of your studies at Ohio State. If the “loaner” device is lost or stolen, you will be responsible for its full replacement cost.
  • In the event that you report the iPad lost or stolen or the university has sufficient cause to believe the device is no longer in your possession, the device may be rendered nonfunctional and the built-in tracking mechanism (“Lost Mode”) may be enabled by the university to allow for recovery of the device.
  • In the event of theft, you will immediately file a report with the Department of Public Safety (614-292-2121) and/or local police authorities depending on your location at the time of the theft, and contact the OCIO Service Desk (614-688-4357).
  • In the event of loss, you will immediately file a report with the OCIO Service Desk (614-688-4357).

 

Appropriate Use

  • The iPad, accessories, and software covered in this agreement are issued for educational use in your courses, for course-related work, and for managing other student life and university-related activities (e.g., registering for classes, participating in Ohio State clubs, managing your accounts, etc.). Appropriate personal use of the technology is permitted.

  • You are solely responsible for the conduct with which the iPad, its software, and other university resources accessed by the iPad are used. The university’s Code of Student Conduct and all university policies apply to your use of the iPad and the apps installed on the iPad. You are not permitted to use the iPad, apps, websites, or other education services to stalk, harass, threaten or harm another. The Code of Student Conduct is available at trustees.osu.edu and university policies are available at policies.osu.edu.

  • The iPad is enrolled in Ohio State’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) service in order to provide a reliable experience with the device and to enhance security in compliance with university policies. The intent of the MDM is to:

    • Allow Ohio State to push university-purchased or approved apps and digital assets (such as eBooks) to the iPad, make apps and digital assets available via “Self-Service,” and list the apps installed on enrolled devices

    • Require a 6-character passcode, enable device encryption, and set the screen to lock after a period of inactivity

    • Prevent bypass or removal of the MDM, including user-initiated factory reset of the iPad or non-university management profiles

    • Distribute software updates and related notifications to protect against vulnerabilities

  • You can view details of the MDM profile at “Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management” on your device at any time. Other settings not listed above are Apple/iOS system defaults displayed for your information only. You will be informed if any aspects of the MDM are changed.
  • Any attempt to bypass or remove MDM or other functionality established by the university (including, but not limited to, “rooting” or “jailbreaking” the device) will result in the iPad being remotely reset to its original configuration or disabled and rendered nonfunctional, with potential loss of data or app on the device.
  • It is illegal to copy or distribute any software loaned through the ODEE/OCIO. You cannot copy, forward or otherwise distribute, in any manner, any of the university’s confidential information on the device. 
  • Installing software in any manner other than through the App Store or Self-Service is not permitted. The only exception is for students tethering the iPad to a Mac running Xcode for the purpose of app development. 
  • Like any device connected to the university network, the network traffic to and from the iPad may be subject to routine monitoring, which is intended to protect against security threats, intrusion, and illegal activity. 
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your data is safe and secure in the event that the iPad becomes corrupted, must be reset or replaced, or is lost. Ohio State provides iPad-compatible secure file storage for this purpose. The university is not responsible for backing up the data on the iPad.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that your addresses and secondary contact information are up to date in BuckeyeLink in case of scenarios wherein the university must ship your technology or contact you regarding the technology. 
  • Because the iPad is configured specifically for academic use, you will not use it for university business as an employee of Ohio State. 
  • You agree to comply with all federal, Ohio and other applicable laws, university rules and policies and all applicable contracts and licenses. Examples of such laws include the laws of libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, obscenity and child pornography (including the sharing of photos/videos), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and HIPAA. You will not use the equipment or software for any illegal or unlawful purposes. An eBook will be provided to you that documents applicable university policies and support processes.

 

Agreement

I understand that failure to comply with these responsibilities and requirements may result in:

  • the equipment being remotely reset to its original configuration or disabled and rendered nonfunctional; 
  • loss of all information stored on the iPad or in apps accessed from the device;
  • loss of future access to equipment; and/or
  • applicable financial liability, which may be charged through the Bursar’s Office to my university accounts and will be subject to finance charges and collection efforts. 

Ohio State may also pursue remedies under the Code of Student Conduct or other legal and criminal remedies, if warranted. I have read this entire Student Technology Responsibility and Liability Agreement. I fully understand it and agree to be legally bound by it.