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Policy

This policy addresses the issues associated with the deployment, management and use of the shared radio spectrum on the UW-River Falls campus and its other properties (such as Pigeon Lake, Campus Lab Farms and Hudson Center).

Authority

The UW-River Falls Chancellor issues this policy in accordance with the Administrative Policy process.
Approved by the Technology Policy and Planning Committee-April 20, 2004.
The Chief Information Officer and the Division of Technology Services is responsible for the administration of this policy.
Request an exception to this policy by writing to administrative-policy@uwrf.edu.

Sanctions and Appeals Process

Failure to adhere to the provisions of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary action as provided under existing procedures applicable to students, faculty, and staff, and/or civil or criminal prosecution.

Individual Responsibilities

All university faculty, staff, students and constituents are required to abide by this policy. Individuals will contact the Division of Technology Services for coordination of all radio frequency systems before acquiring those services or systems.

University Responsibilities

The Chief Information Officer and the Division of Technology Services (DoTS) are responsible for the design, implementation and operation of shared radio spectrum services on the UW-River Falls campus and its ancillary properties.

The CIO will work to ensure that the best interests of the university will be served through the proper design, installation and management of all radio spectrum technologies and devices. Should an issue of interference arise within the campus boundaries and its ancillary properties, the CIO will determine and implement the proper course of action to rectify the issue.

Background

With the advent of wireless computer technology, it has become necessary to establish coordination and management of the shared radio frequency spectrum that is available to the campus. Since various devices and technologies utilize similar and potentially conflicting radio frequencies, it is necessary to properly coordinate and manage the use and deployment of these devices and technologies in order to ensure the reliability of wireless and other radio frequency-based services

Examples of radio frequency utilizing devices: 

• Anything with “wireless” in the title
  
• Wireless microphones
  
• Cordless keyboards and mice
  
• WIFI – wireless networking
  
• Wireless Closed Circuit television (surveillance) cameras
  
• Bluetooth devices
  
• “Cellular” devices
  

Coordination of devices are required, for example these devices all attempt to use the same radio space at the same time: 

• cordless telephones
  
• many microwave ovens
  
• FalconAir - WIFI (802.11 B/G) networks

The FalconAir network is the highest priority of the radio space, so the limitation on cordless phones and microwave ovens is in the scope of policy.

Glossary

Radio Frequency Spectrum: Devices that utilize radio waves to communicate from device to device utilize the “radio frequency spectrum” to make those connections. Radio frequencies are measured in Hertz, such as Kilo-Hertz, Mega-Hertz or Giga-Hertz.
Wireless: Devices that are communicating from one device to another or from point to point, over the air without using any wires to communicate.

Related Documents 

• http://www.howstuffworks.com/radio-spectrum.htm

Contact

Please direct questions about this policy to administrative-policy@uwrf.edu.