Overview
Use this service to request a new university-owned computer for a faculty or staff member.
Requests may be submitted for:
- New employees
- Position replacements
- Standard device refreshes
- Damaged or failed devices
- Specialized computing needs
- Departmental computer purchases
- Bulk computer orders
All university-owned devices must comply with the University's Device Standards and security requirements.
Related Resources
Eligibility
This service is available to:
- Faculty
- Staff
- Departments requesting shared-use devices
- Fiscal Managers submitting requests on behalf of employees
Student-owned devices are not eligible through this service.
Device Lifecycle and Refresh Program
The University maintains a standard 5-year computer refresh lifecycle to ensure devices remain secure, supportable, and capable of meeting institutional needs.
Standard Lifecycle
| Device Age |
Status |
| 0-4 Years |
Supported |
| 5 Years |
Eligible for Refresh Review |
| 5+ Years |
Replacement or extension determined by IT based on device condition, supportability, and business needs |
Reaching five years of age does not automatically guarantee replacement. Device eligibility, department funding, inventory records, and operational requirements will be reviewed before a replacement is approved.
Available Device Options
Standard Dell Laptop
The standard Windows laptop provided to most employees.
Recommended for:
- General office productivity
- Email
- Microsoft 365 applications
- Administrative work
- Remote and hybrid work
Non-Standard Dell Laptop
A higher-performance Windows device intended for specialized workloads.
Examples include:
- CAD
- GIS
- Data analysis
- Multimedia production
- Engineering applications
- Other resource-intensive software
Fiscal Manager approval is required.
Standard MacBook
The standard macOS laptop provided to employees whose job functions require a Mac platform.
Recommended for:
- General productivity
- Administrative work
- Standard academic and creative workflows
Non-Standard MacBook
A higher-specification Mac device intended for specialized workloads.
Examples include:
- Video production
- Audio production
- Graphic design
- Software development
- Research applications
- Other advanced computing needs
Fiscal Manager approval is required.
Before Submitting a Request
Please be prepared to provide:
- Employee name
- Department
- Device user
- Existing asset tag (if replacing a current device)
- Business justification
- Desired device type
- Funding information (if applicable)
- Specialized software or hardware requirements
Approval Requirements
Standard Devices
Standard device requests typically require departmental approval and funding verification.
Non-Standard Devices
Requests for non-standard devices must include:
- Business justification
- Explanation of specialized computing requirements
- Fiscal Manager approval
IT may recommend an alternative device that better aligns with institutional standards and support requirements.
What Happens Next?
After a request is submitted:
- IT reviews the request.
- Eligibility and approvals are verified.
- Funding is confirmed if applicable.
- Equipment is ordered or assigned from available inventory.
- IT configures the device according to University standards.
- The user is contacted to schedule deployment.
- Existing equipment is collected when applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the University use a 5-year replacement cycle?
A five-year lifecycle helps balance cost, security, reliability, manufacturer support, and user experience while providing a predictable refresh schedule for departments.
My computer still works. Why replace it?
Replacement decisions are based on more than basic functionality. Factors include warranty coverage, operating system support, security requirements, hardware reliability, and long-term support costs.
My computer is less than five years old but performs poorly. Can I request a replacement?
Yes. IT will review devices experiencing significant performance problems, hardware failures, or business impacts on a case-by-case basis.
Can I request a specific model?
Employees may indicate preferences; however, IT maintains standard device configurations to improve supportability, security, purchasing efficiency, and lifecycle management.
Can I keep my old computer?
No. University-owned equipment remains University property and must be returned to IT for inventory reconciliation, secure data removal, redeployment, or disposal.
What if I need a more powerful computer?
Select a non-standard device option and provide a business justification describing the software, workload, or technical requirements necessitating additional performance.
What if I need multiple computers?
For bulk purchases, attach the Bulk Computer Request Form to this request.
Who do I contact with more questions?
Please reach out to the IT Service Desk with any other questions or assistance.