Resources

Can I have "root" access on my local machine?

WSS prefers that sudo is used instead of giving out the root passwd. If you are a CS Faculty member
that needs root access on your machine, please contact WSS. We will be happy to give you this information.

Graduate students do not routinely have sudo access to their own workstations. We
have made exceptions in the past.

a) The student in question must be a Ph.D. student on a regular (non-first-year)
workstation.
b) The student has a legitimate need.
c) The student has demonstrated competence in system administration.
d) The student's advisor approves.
e) The student is instructed in Yale's appropriate use policy and departmental customs.
In particular, sudo access must never be used to compromise the privacy or integrity
of other user's data.

If you meet the above requirements, then you will be added to the sudoers list on your machine. You will not be given the root passwd.

For more info on sudo, please see this link.