Telephone Use

 

Use of University telephones and related equipment should always be legal, ethical, reflect high standards and show restraint in the use of resources.

 

 

Telephone: Refers to telephones, faxes, modems and any other devices used to access dial tone through the University Telephone System.

 

NORTEL Meridian Telephone System: Delta State owned and operated equipment that provides telephone service to the University.

 

Local Area Network (LAN): Miscellaneous equipment, fiber-optic cables, wiring, etc. that provides access to the campus computer network.

 

Campus Telephone Network: The University telephone system, along with all telephones, cables, wiring, terminations, etc., that results in the provision of telephone service to all areas of the campus.

 

Telco Research Call Accounting System: Computerized equipment that records calling information and provides detailed reports on long distance calls when using authorization codes.

 

Authorization Code: A numerical code assigned to departments, employees and students that provides immediate access to University long distance services.

 

Summary Cover Sheet: A report that is included in department long distance bills, which provides a summary of information about calling activity for all authorization codes assigned to the department.

 

Hands-Free: Cellular telephones that permit a choice of devices to be attached, which permit use while leaving both hands free.

 

Toll Fraud: The unauthorized use of any authorization code, or any other means of accessing long distance services, with the intent to avoid payment of charges.

 

 

Access to telecommunications resources owned and operated by Delta State imposes certain responsibilities and obligations, and is granted subject to University policies and local, state and federal laws. Appropriate use should always be legal, ethical, reflect University standards and show restraint in the use of resources. Prompt, courteous answers to telephone calls should be a self-imposed rule. It is good practice to identify yourself and your department when answering or making a call.

 

University departmental telephones are provided for University business only. It is the responsibility of each department to ensure that personal calls are kept to a minimum, and do not interfere with University business. Collect calls should never be accepted on University telephones. Fax and telephone transmissions that involve long distance service charged to the University are restricted to University business. University long distance service is tax exempt, and personal use will jeopardize this tax exempt status.

 

Any use of the telephone for personal business should be for short conversations to convey or receive needed information. Supervisors are required to observe the frequency of such calls and to caution employees who use the phone excessively for personal calls. Departments must ensure that personal long distance calls are charged to a personal authorization code. Faculty and staff who wish to purchase personal long distance service through Delta State can obtain authorization codes from the Telecommunications Department.

 

On-campus calls can be made by dialing only the last (4) digits of the telephone number. Off-campus local calls can be made by dialing “9” plus the number. Detailed dialing instructions for other type calls can be obtained by accessing the Telecommunications web site, checking the campus telephone directory, or contacting the Telecommunications Department.