Mobile Computing Devices Policy

Policy Statement

Mobile computing devices may be used on and off campus to access campus resources in the conduct of university business, at university expense, when approval is given.

Reason for Policy

To safeguard university operating funds and provide for necessary communications capabilities to certain employees, approval for purchase of equipment and services shall be limited to faculty and staff whose job requires a mobile computing device, and/or frequent travel for university business.

Definitions

• Mobile computing device – equipment such as cellular devices (e.g., TREO).
• Supported device – equipment that is designated on the OTS Web site by brand and model as having service support through OTS.

Responsible Executive

James P. Sheehan

Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Fiscal Officer

Responsible Office

Office of Technology Services

Entities Affected by this Policy

All divisions, colleges, departments and operating units.

Procedures

University Purchased Mobile Devices and Services

1.  PDA Devices

Cost:  The department will be responsible for the purchase of the supported device and any associated service plans. University funding shall only be used for supported devices.

Installation and support:  OTS will provide installation and configuration assistance for any supported device to ensure that it connects securely and appropriately to a desktop computer or campus network through wireless capabilities.

Approvals needed:  Department Head/Chair

2.  Smartphones - Cellular Devices with E-mail, Data and Web Services

Cost: The department will be responsible for the purchase of the supported device, any associated service plans and a one-time license fee for the synchronization server license. University funding shall only be used for supported devices.

Installation and support:  OTS will be responsible for establishing service with a designated carrier. These devices will use a university maintained server to permit remote synchronization of e-mail and data.

Approvals needed:  A Smartphone Request Form must be completed and signed by the Dean/Associate Vice President or Vice President of the department.  The completed form must then be submitted to the University Chief Financial Officer for final approval.

Personally Purchased Mobile Devices and Services

Employees may use their own devices and services on campus, and use university-purchased synchronization software.

Cost:  The department will be responsible for the one-time license fee for the synchronization server license.

Installation and support:  OTS will provide installation and configuration assistance for any supported device to ensure that it connects securely and appropriately to a desktop computer or campus network through wireless capabilities.

Approvals needed:  Department Head/Chair, Dean/Associate Vice President and Vice President.

NOTE:   OTS does not support Blackberry Technology .

Approval Date

December 20, 2004

Effective Date

December 20, 2004