Personal Computer Installation

Desktop/Laptop Computer & Printer Installation Policy

This policy was approved by the Information Technology Governance Committee on May 9, 2000.  Revised August 2007.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) must approve new computer and printer acquisitions. Acquisitions should be made based on the current University Standards, as defined in the University Standards Policy.  Computers and printers bought without prior approval or prior variance approval will not be supported or maintained.  

Computers connected to the network will require installation assistance from OIT. Any computer needing non-standard network configurations must be requested to OIT in writing.

Individuals should contact the OIT Help Desk (439-4OIT, email: oithelp@etsu.edu) to schedule the installation of a computer. A Help Desk ticket number will be supplied to the individual along with a time estimate. OIT will contact the individual to schedule an installation time.

OIT will install no software without proof of licensure.

OIT will re-install applications supported by OIT from the user’s current computer to the new computer.  Applications not supported by OIT will be attempted on an ‘as-is’ basis, as time permits.

“In-kind” gifts or donations of computer or computing equipment must be pre-approved through the University Foundation office before acceptance.  This equipment will be tagged and supported at the discretion of OIT.

If the new computer was obtained via the OIT-Sponsored Computers Policy the installation procedures for that program will take precedence over this policy.

Departmental purchases: If this computer is to replace an existing computer which is less than the current minimum configuration as defined by current university standards or is more than 6-years old, the original computer should be sent through the surplus procedure. OIT will assist in the completion of the Surplus of Equipment form for the original computer. Central Receiving will then schedule Physical Plant personnel to remove the equipment.

If the computer being replaced is equal to or above the current minimum suggested configuration, OIT will assist in the installation of this computer to replace a computer that does not meet the current minimum suggested configuration. This computer should be sent through the surplus procedure. All computers must have licensure for all software that remains.

Only one layer of “trickle-downs” will be allowed per each new computer purchased.  The following examples should assist in policy clarification.

1) The Department purchases a new computer for the Chair.  Her current one is still under OIT support (less than 6 years old), and she would like to have it set up for the Executive Aide.  The Executive Aide has a computer that is 7 years old.  They would like to surplus his existing one once the Chair’s current one has been re-assigned to him.  This is allowable under the Desktop/Laptop Installation Policy.

2) The Department purchases a new computer for the Chair.  His current one is still under OIT support (less than 6 years old), and he would like to have it set up for the Executive Aide.  She has a computer that is 4 years old.  They would like to have her current one set up for the Graduate Assistant, who is currently using one that is 8 years old.  They would then like to surplus the Graduate Assistant’s computer.  This is NOT allowable under the Desktop/Laptop Installation Policy because it violates the one level of “trickle-downs” allowed per each new computer purchase.  However, the Chair’s current computer can be set up for the Graduate Assistants and theirs should be surplused.

3) The Department purchases a new computer for the chair.  His current one is still under OIT support (less than 6 years old), and he would like to have it set up for the adjuncts.  His computer was supplied via the OIT-Sponsored Computers program.  This is NOT allowable under the OIT-Sponsored Computers policy.  Those computers are provided for employment POSITIONS, not people and not a department. They are not transferable to another position, except under extreme circumstances as determined by OIT. 

Printer installation will be provided by OIT for all current standards as defined in the University Standards Policy.  Attempted installations on non-supported printers will be on a “as time permits” basis, and only initial installation is provided.  Any further support or maintenance on non-supported printers will be the responsibility of the department.

Office of Information Technology
Campus Box 70558
Room 308, Burgin Dossett Hall
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN 37614
Help desk: 423-439-4648
fax: 423-439-5770