A&S Computer Hardware Program

The College of Arts and Sciences Hardware Program supports the initial purchase and replacement of general use computers for eligible faculty and staff. The program is funded through the CAS Computing Services annual budget.

Eligible staff and faculty

The CAS Computer Hardware Program provides new and replacement individual-use hardware to

·         Full-time tenured and tenure track faculty, teaching professors, and professors of practice.

·         Full-time (including AY-only) permanent staff positions that support entire departments or internally funded College-wide units (e.g., the Humanities Center, Forensics).

Provided hardware

When Computing Services Group funding is used to purchase an initial or replacement computer, the funds provided will be those required for a new standard model (Mac/Win laptop) computer as defined by the group. The Computing Services Group will arrange for the purchase of the computer. Some peripherals may be provided by the Computing Services Group. Alternate funding sources are required to provide the differential for hardware that is more expensive than the standard model, for non-standard peripherals, or for more frequent replacements.

Number of computers

Each full-time faculty or staff member is provided one computer through this program. To keep the program sustainable and to avoid the purchase of duplicate machines, the program does not fund a second computer. The standard computer is a laptop; a preference to avoid carrying it between locations is not a basis for an additional computer.

Faculty research allotments and similar professional development funds are intended to support research, scholarship, and travel; they are not a substitute funding source for hardware covered by this program. These funds should not be used to purchase an additional general-use computer. An exception applies only where a faculty member has a documented research need, such as software, processing, or storage requirements tied to a specific research project, that the standard machine cannot meet. Such purchases should be reviewed by CAS Computing Services before the purchase is made.

Additional hardware beyond the one standard computer will be allowed only in the following cases:

·         Medical accommodation. Additional or specialized hardware supported by an approved medical accommodation through the University’s accommodation process.

·         Research and instrumentation needs. Research faculty who require additional hardware to connect to laboratory instruments or to provide compute power beyond a standard machine. These requests are reviewed and approved by CAS Computing Services and are typically funded through grants or departmental funds.

Requests for an exception should be submitted to CAS Computing Services for review before any purchase is made.

Initial computer purchases

Eligible new faculty members are provided a new standard computer at the start of their appointment.  Staff members that are hired into a newly created position (new PIN) will be provided a new computer.

Replacement

Replacement computers for eligible full-time faculty and staff are provided on a regular schedule. Currently, computers are replaced every four (4) years. The replaced computer will be returned to CAS Computing for re-use if its purchase was primarily supported by this program.

Termination of employment

At termination of employment, including transitions to emeritus faculty status, all computers purchased using SU funds will be returned to the CAS computing group. The disposition of computers bought through this program is decided by the support group. If computers were purchased on grants or with departmental funds, the department can decide where they should be used. If an emeritus faculty member retains an office or shares an office with other emeritus faculty, a desktop computer will be provided for that office. See additional details at Computer Hardware Support for Retired and Emeritus Faculty.