Petaluma Campus Open Computer Lab (PET223) Procedures

What is in the Lab?

May I Bring My Own... ?

Who May Use the Lab and For What?

What About Printing?

What Do I Need to Use the Lab?

Where Do I Recycle Used Paper?

When Should I Come to Lab?

What If I Need Help?

May I Reserve a Computer?

What If Every Lab Staff Is Busy?

May I Just Drop In?

What is Wrong with Copying?

How Do I Get Started?

What Are the Lab Hours?

What Disks Do I Need?

Who Can Tell Me More?

What is in the Lab?

There are 40 PCs and 15 Mac G5 computers, one high-speed laser printers, one color laser printer, two color inkjet printers, and a few color scanners in the Open Lab (PET223). However, there are over 100 computers in all at the Petaluma Campus computer labs.  Internet access is available from all lab computers.

Who May Use the Lab and For What?

Use of Lab equipment is restricted to currently enrolled SRJC students doing SRJC schoolwork only.  Any commercial use of the facilities is prohibited.  Additionally, the viewing of materials deemed pornographic or participating in sexual chat room discussions violate the policy that states in part:

Computer facilities and accounts are owned by Santa Rosa Junior College and are to be used for educationally related matters only.

Viewing of pornographic materials or participating in sexual chat room discussions result in the creation of a 'hostile educational environment' as defined in Section 2, subsection 13, Part A, Subpart 14.1 of the Sonoma County Junior College District Policy manual.  The rights of other students to be free of the discriminatory actions of a single student are to be upheld. 

Engaging in such activities may result in the loss of your computer lab privileges. (See Section 2, Subsection 13, Part B, of the Sonoma County Junior College district Policy Manual.)

What Do I Need to Use the Lab?

An SRJC Student Photo ID or proof of current enrollment is required.  Information on getting your Photo ID is available in a separate bulletin.  A proof of current enrollment can be either registration receipt or in-person verification by your instructor. A logger machine will verify your status once you sign in.

May I Reserve a Computer?

In general, most computers are available on a first come first served basis.

May I Just Drop In?

Any available computer may be used on a drop-in basis.  Limit is one hour when others are waiting.  Students working on course assignments have priority at all times, and may displace other users.  Lab staff will determine priorities as needed.

How Do I Get Started?

First, you must log in on the Log-In computer located at the service table by the main entrance. The instruction sheet for using the log-in machine is available at the table. You may also ask a lab attendant for the instructions.  Choose a computer that has already been turned on.  When you are finished, leave the computer and the monitor on. Reboot the computer if necessary.  Remember to log out.

What Disks Do I Need?

This computer lab supports floppy, USB drives, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW, as well as other digital medias such as Smart Media, Compact Flash, Micro Drive and Memory Stick.  You must provide - and remember to bring with you as needed - your own disk(s) for storing your work. Your instructor will discuss disk types and care.  We urge that you label your disks clearly with your name, as disks left in the lab can't easily be returned without identification.  It's also wise to make a backup copy of your disk(s), especially for floppy disks which are know to suffer sudden death periodically; keep backups in a safe place and update regularly.

May I Bring My Own...?

The lab provides all of the software and hardware required for course assignments.  Student users may not run their own software on any of our systems, nor connect their own equipment to printers or netwrok in the lab. You are not allowed to disconnect any existing equipment.

What About Printing?

Please note that the printing is NOT free in the lab. Due to the limited resource, we are unable to provide free printing service to all your needs. You are not allowed to print online course materials or manuals. However, for your convenience, you may print the portion of your homework assignment to be turned in to your instructor. If you need multiple copies, print one and use the copy machines in the Library to duplicate. The Library also provides pay printing service for student to print other materials.

If a printer needs servicing (it's jammed, out of paper, print quality is poor, etc.), notify lab staff.  Do not attempt to service printers yourself.  If your printing seems delayed, check with lab staff before attempting to print a second time.  Although we will make every effort to resolve printing difficulties, some documents may exceed the capabilities of our system.  We reserve the right to cancel printing of any document causing undue printer delays for other users.

Where Do I Recycle Used Paper?

Please help with our campus recycling program. Put all unwanted printer paper in the box beneath each printer table.  Make sure no trash, plastic, metal, etc. goes into these bins.  Do not crumple paper.

What If I Need Help?

Instructors, Lab Assistants, and Student Lab Assistants are available to aid you in the lab.  We do not provide any assistance by phone.  If you need more help with course work than lab staff can provide, we recommend that you see an instructor.  Student Lab Assistants provide general assistance with lab operations.  They will also help with specific questions on some course work whenever possible.  Their role does not include tutoring or individual instruction.  The Student Lab Assistants are identified by name tags they wear while on-duty. Lab staffs are responsible for lab rules, safety, and security.  Follow at once any directions they give you regarding lab procedures or emergencies - unresolved questions can be discussed later with your instructor or the Lab Coordinator.

What If Every Lab Staff Is Busy?

If you need help when all of the instructors and lab staff are busy with others, give the numbered station card from your computer to any one of them - someone will come to assist you as soon as those ahead of you have been helped.

What's Wrong with Copying?

Lab software and resource materials are protected by copyright laws, with all rights reserved.  These items may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium in any way, in whole or in part.  Any violation, or attempted violation, of copyright law may result in immediate suspension of lab privileges, disciplinary action by the college and/or lawsuit.  Copyright violation is also a Federal offense.  Civil damages can be up to $50,000 or more.  Criminal penalties include fines and imprisonment.

What Are the Lab Hours?

A complete lab schedule, including holidays and breaks, is online here.

Who Can Tell Me More?

Additional questions, suggestions or problems may be directed to the lab staff or to your instructor. For further assistance please visit, call, or write:

Jerry Xu, Coordinator
707-778-3954 or email

Debra Miller , Technician
707-778-2486 or email

Marshall McGowan, Specialist
707-778-3955 or email