What if I would prefer a non-standard system?

What if I have multiple offices?

How often will I receive a new machine?

Whose systems are to be replaced?

How will redeployment be handled?

How is Desktop Enhancement being funded?

Are matching funds being eliminated?

What about additional computers?

**For More information contact IT Asset Management**

What if I would prefer a non-standard system?

Non-standard systems are fully supported and available. However, departments requesting non-standard systems need to consider the additional support cost.

 What if I have multiple offices?

There are some faculty and staff who work out of more than one office on campus. Desktop Enhancement will provide and maintain the most current equipment for the office in which the faculty and staff member spends the majority of his or her time. Secondary offices will be supplied with "re-deployed" machines as availability allows.

 How often will I receive a new machine?

The goal is to fund or maintain at or above the minimum system specifications for all full-time faculty and staff during the three-year replacement cycle. In other words, each faculty and staff member will receive one relatively high-performance desktop or laptop machine every three years.

 Whose systems are to be replaced?

Systems associated with University faculty and full-time staff members are part of the three-year replacement plan and ongoing three-year replacement cycle.

Systems that fall outside of "Desktop Computing" (i.e. research-funded machines, machines packaged with instruments, etc.) can be acquired through IT and the Dell VPA. However they will not be replaced or upgraded as part of this program. Only systems identified as Desktop Computers associated with a named user and tracked through the Asset Management program will be replaced under the Desktop Enhancement program.

 How will redeployment be handled?

A pro-active asset management and redeployment initiative will be used to enhance PCs for part-time employees, graduate students, etc. Each department Chairperson or administrative head will also plan for the needs of the part-time employees, graduate students, etc. The proposal should rank part-time faculty, part-time staff, and graduate students from most pressing to least pressing need for replacement. The yearly redeployment plan will also be part of the package forwarded to the Provost for final approval.

 How is Desktop Enhancement being funded?

Desktop Enhancement is being funded through the general operating funds of Information Technology and supplemented by IT reserves. These funds were previously designated as Computer Capital Commitment and Academic Computing funds.

 Are matching funds being eliminated?

Since the guidelines for the Desktop Enhancement program were adopted, matching funds have not been provided for new requests. Instead, new PCs have been provided under the Desktop Enhancement program at NO COST to the department or the individual for one of six standard configurations.

 What about additional computers?

IT is working with each department head to map out replacement plans, in which each faculty and staff member is eligible for one desktop or laptop machine every three years. Purchases beyond the scope of this program will be the responsibility of individual departments.