Approved by Baseline Committee 5/26/00, Revised 7/13/01

Baseline Computer Hardware Goals

Baseline computer goals are to:

1. Provide eligible faculty and staff a single baseline level computer;
2. Provide students with baseline level computers in the computer classrooms and Open Access Labs; and
3. Systematically refresh computers to maintain hardware currency and keep pace with development in software technology. 

To accomplish these goals the campus will:

1. Replace all networked computers to Pentium class or better; and
2. Implement a three year refresh cycle for all computers and laptop notebook computers, provided sufficient funding is available.  An additional year beyond this will be considered for high-end computers.

Baseline Specifications and Funding Support

A set of specifications for PC and Mac workstations and laptop notebooks are updated on a regular basis and accessible from the campus PC Specifications Web site.  Baseline will allocate a set dollar amount per computer, at the minimum baseline PC level for: 

1. Those computers in use on campus at the beginning of the implementation of the baseline plan,
2. Those computers in use for new faculty and staff positions, and
3. Those computers in use for computers in facilities such as TEC rooms.

The extent of the support is contingent on the availability of funds.  Departments may lease computers such as a Macs, high-end PCs, or laptop notebooks that exceed the minimum baseline standards and/or minimum baseline PC cost but will be responsible for paying any difference beyond the minimum baseline PC cost.  Peripherals such as printers, external drives and other components that are not part of the baseline configuration or baseline equipment plan are considered to be the responsibility of the departments/divisions and will not be funded by baseline; they are considered to be the responsibility of the departments/divisions.

For areas requiring limited use and access (e.g. computers just for web searching, student assistant workstations, counter workstations, etc.), the PC Spec site also includes specifications for an approved computer with limited peripherals.  These computers are exempt from leasing.

Baseline Funding Covers the Following:

The Baseline Plan will provide a single baseline level desktop computer funded at the minimum baseline PC cost to each campus personnel requiring a computer for the execution of job duties in the following categories:

1. State Funded Full-time Tenured or Tenure-Track Faculty
2. State Funded Full-time Temporary Faculty on a renewable contract of 3 years or greater
3. State Funded Full-time Permanent Staff

In addition, the Baseline Plan will provide baseline level desktop computers for student use in the following facilities:

1. Open Access Labs
2. Shared and Departmental Computer Classrooms
3. Student Multicultural Resource Labs

Modified or Shared Coverage:

1. FERP will receive older model baseline computers as these machines become available.  Baseline will support the buy-out costs for these machines.  These older computers will be upgraded to allow access to e-mail and current personal productivity software.
2. Baseline will cover the replacement and refresh of one quarter of the student computers in Experimental Labs and Studios. Other resources must cover the remaining three-quarters of the cost.

Items Not Covered by Baseline Funding

Equipment falling under the categories below are important, but must be supported via unit or division funds.

1. Computers for faculty and staff working for auxiliary organizations
2. Computers for non-state supported programs and departments, i.e. grant supported or self-supporting
3. Computers for staff who do not use or need a computer to complete assigned work
4. Computers for student workers
5. Computers used at front counters for reception and support
6. Computer peripherals such as printers, external drives, or components not part of the original baseline specifications
7. Non-instructional pods of computers used by students for tasks such as e-mail and web searches, i.e. Financial Aid student stations
8. Refresh of baseline computers before replacement is due
9. Computers purchased or leased by other sources such as departmental funds, grants, awards, or non-regular general fund allocation during the baseline period
10. Computers for part-time faculty and staff are the responsibility of the colleges and departments

Baseline standard requires that workstations that are connected to the campus network but are not covered by Baseline replacement and refresh funding abide by the baseline hardware, operating system, and application software standards.  All campus divisions and departments have the responsibility of upgrading or replacing substandard computers and networks using their own funds.  Information Resources Management will provide staff assistance and on-line resources for information on PC specifications and vendor information for PC replacement or component purchases.

Computer Assignment

It is the responsibility of the Division Vice President, Division Managers, Department Heads, and Deans to determine the placement of new computers.  Management should determine placement based on

1. who is required to use computer-intensive applications as a normal part of his/her duties, and
2. who is considered a less intensive user, i.e. one who only uses general applications such as word processing and e-mail.  It is appropriate for a manager to give the power users a new computer and pass on the older baseline computer from a power user to a low intensive user.  Such an assignment is called  “bump” and should be identified when the campus calls for refresh of older computers.  This will satisfy the goal to replace an old computer that is up for refresh.

Maintenance and Insurance

All leased computers will be ordered with an extended maintenance contract for three years, plus insurance to cover theft and damage.  Maintenance will be next day, on-site service for standard desktop computers.  Computers considered “mission critical” might have a shorter response time; however, the division or department must pay the cost difference. 

Maintenance will be coordinated through the Division of Information Resources Management (IRM); IRM will provide campus instructions for reporting hardware problems.

High-end computers that are retained beyond their 36-month leases will not be covered by a maintenance warranty.  Divisions and departments will assume the fiscal responsibility for maintenance beyond this length of time.  However, IRM will continue to provide diagnostic services for computers up to the 48^th month of life.

Modifications to Leased Computers

Leasing contracts allows upgrades of internal components or attachment of peripherals to a leased computer so long as a safety hazard does not exist.  At the end of the lease term, such upgrades or attachments will be removed and the equipment restored to its original state.  Departments must reinstall the original or equivalent components or may opt to relinquish the upgraded component at their cost.  Departments will be financially responsible for replacing missing or damaged parts.

Returning Leased Equipment

Upon the expiration of the lease and the conditions of the contract, the ordering department or division will be responsible for the return of the computer(s).  If disposition was not included in the original lease agreement, the department may need to arrange for boxing and shipping of the hardware.  Departments will assume fiscal responsibility for any shipping charges. 

The return of computers that were ordered through the Baseline project will be coordinated through the division of IRM. 

IRM maintains a record of delivery for each Baseline computer.  Five months prior to the expiration of lease, departments and division will receive a listing of the computers issued to them.  Departments and divisions will be responsible for locating the baseline computers for IRM.  If a baseline computer is not found or is damaged, the department and divisions will assume the fiscal responsibility for replacement, buy-out, or repairs.