Naming Convention Policy

1.0 Overview
A key step in the efficient management of accounts at Clarkson is the implementation of a naming convention for usernames. The naming convention allows for a standard approach when assigning usernames, and is an essential step in the eventual move to a single sign on environment.

2.0 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the rules for creating usernames for access to Clarkson information systems.

3.0 Scope
The scope of this policy includes all personnel who have or are responsible for an account (or any form of access that supports or requires a password) on any system that resides at any Clarkson facility, has access to the Clarkson network, or stores any non-public Clarkson information. Usernames can be distinct from e-mail addresses. For example, username klynch can have associated with it any e-mail address, such as kpl@clarkson.edu. E-mail addresses are issued on a first come, first serve basis.

4.0 Policy

4.1 General

• Administrative accounts that are granted elevated access will be assigned usernames based on the 3+admin model (first initial of first name, first initial of middle name, first initial of last name followed by the word admin). For example: Joshua A. Fiske would be given jafadmin.
• Faculty and staff will be assigned usernames based on the 1+full model (first letter of first name followed by the full last name)
• Students will be assigned usernames based on the full+2 model (full last name followed by the first and middle initial)
• Students who are working in administrative capacities (student workers) will be assigned usernames using the 1+full model for their administrative access requirements. Login restrictions will be placed on these accounts to limit access to only computers within their department and to allow logins to occur only during their normal work hours.
• Usernames will be all lowercase

• Duplicate names
  • Faculty and Staff: In the event two usernames would be identical using the 1+full model, the second username would use the first letter of the first name, first letter of the middle name followed by the full last name. If there is no middle name, the second letter of the first name will be used in its place.
  • Students: In the event two usernames would be identical using the full+2 model, the second username would use the first two letters of the first name, followed by the middle initial, followed by the full last name. If there is still the possibility of a duplicate, the next username would go to 3+1+full, etc.
• Special Characters
  • All usernames will be based on the 26 letter English alphabet. Names with punctuation will have the punctuation removed (ie. Sean Omalley would be somalley, Robin Knox-Johnson would be rknoxjohnson)
  • International symbols will not be supported for usernames
• Name Suffixes
  • No username will take into account a name suffix (ie. Jr, Sr, Ph.D., etc.)

5.0 Enforcement
All new accounts will be created according to this standard. Deviations from this standard will require approval of the CTO.

6.0 Definitions

7.0 Revision History

• Draft Policy v0.1 — 02 Jan 2007 — jfiske
• Draft Policy v0.2 — 28 Aug 2007 — jfiske
• Approved Policy v1.0 — 07 Sept 2007 — jfiske