Telecommunications Wiring Policy

Principles

The priorities established for the University’s physical plant of telecommunications cabling systems are safety, security, economy, reliability, and capability. The goal of the University is to ensure the integrity and stability of the University Network and the efficiency and effectiveness of its construction and operation. To this end the University of Kansas adopts the following principles:

1. Enterprise Class Systems that serve the entire campus, represent the most effective way to provide for the University’s priorities in information transport. Enterprise Class Systems reduce the total cost of ownership to the University as a whole, and maximize the availability and reliability of its information transport systems for all of its constituents. Enterprise Class Systems reduce the total number of separate and distinct systems required to service all the diverse information transport needs of the entire University community.
2. The University’s Network, as with any campus-wide utility infrastructure, must be considered part of the basic infrastructure and utility services of the University. Consequently, telecommunications cabling shall be considered part of the basic infrastructure and utility services of the University. Installation of the telecommunications cabling infrastructure is to be considered part of the “up front” basic building and renovation costs and is not considered a discretionary option in construction and renovation design.
3. The University Network requires management to ensure reliability and effective operation. Enterprise level planning and management is best served by centralized planning and management in order to ensure that the network infrastructure resource is constructed and operated in an integrated, cost-efficient, and effective manner.
4. The University Enterprise Telecommunications Cabling System is for the overall use of the University as a whole and is managed for the benefit of all University units taken together as a whole. To maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of this infrastructure, the network system utilizing this cabling system shall be designed and implemented to handle a wide variety of information transport requirements. This network system is offered to Units to satisfy their video, voice, and digital data transport needs. To control information transport costs, this system is preferred over the creation of single use information transport systems.

Provisions

The following provisions are established to enable the University's principles to be adopted as part of this policy:

1. All telecommunications cabling including, but not limited to copper wiring, copper cable, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, conduit, duct banks, maintenance holes, and any other cabling support system installed on University property shall be considered the property of the University and part of the University’s Structured Telecommunications Cabling System.
2. All new construction or renovation projects involving the design, installation, maintenance, and use of all telecommunications cabling and support systems whether inside buildings, externally attached to buildings, or between buildings (above or below ground) as well as in structures and tunnels are considered part of the University’s Structured Telecommunications Cabling System.
3. All the University’s Information Technology (IT) networking equipment, electronic door access and power equipment and associated cabling, shall be located in locked rooms, locked cabinets or locked enclosures. To include but not be limited to: the Main Distribution Frame (MDF), Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF), equipment rooms and wiring closets. Access to these spaces shall be controlled utilizing keyed-alike entry lock sets, or with the use of card access devices or other comparable physical security measures.
4. The University, through IT, shall adopt a uniform standard of components, construction practices, construction process procedures, and an ongoing operational methodology. This standard shall be considered part of the University’s design standards to which all installations must conform. This standard shall be known as the University’s Uniform Telecommunications Wiring Standard, or KU’s Division 27 Design and Construction Guidelines. IT will maintain documentation of best practices and procedures, in consultation with University Units, including Facilities Planning and Development (FPD) and is responsible for updates. For questions, please contact IT Customer Service Center at 785-864-8080 or itcsc@ku.edu.
5. All new construction, remodeling, and extensions of the University’s Structured Telecommunications Cabling System will comply with the University’s Uniform Telecommunications Wiring Standard to ensure that the cabling system is constructed and managed in a strategic manner consistent with University priorities.
6. Third party network systems and network systems where located on private property may be required to be certified before they are allowed to directly connect to university systems.
7. No entity may modify or repair any component associated with the University’s Structured Telecommunications Cabling System without approval of IT.
8. No entity may install or attach any telecommunications cabling or cabling component to University property without approval of IT.
9. Dedicated links of cabling (e.g., copper or fiber) to implement single purpose information transport systems are not offered as part of the University's Structured Telecommunications Cabling System. Approval for dedicated links of cabling shall only be granted when it is not feasible to utilize the existing enterprise network system and only when approved by IT.
10. A codified set of practices and processes shall be established in order to clearly identify and delineate the roles and responsibilities of the various University entities involved in telecommunications construction activity. Facilities Planning & Development (FPD) and IT take joint responsibility for ensuring that these practices and processes are effectively developed and maintained.
11. Units contracting vendors may request a list of secured networking and telecommunications cabling and equipment locations that require access approval from KU IT by contacting IT Customer Service Center at 785-864-8080 or itcsc@ku.edu.