Desktop Computers

Supported Hardware

• 
  Apple iMac and Mac Pro Computers (year 2009 and newer)
  
• 
  Dell OptiPlexes (year 2009 and newer)
  

• 
  Apple MacBooks and MacBook Pros (year 2009 and newer)
  
• 
  Dell Latitudes (year 2009 and newer)
  

• 
  HP LaserJet 1000-8000 series (year 2004 and newer)
  
• 
  HP DeskJets/InkJets/OfficeJets (year 2011 and newer)
  

• 
  HP-brand scanners
  
• 
  USB or FireWire hard drives
  

1. 
   Each permanent full-time faculty and staff position is provided by Mills College with a single computer, as available. Please see the Newly Created Faculty and Staff Positions and Existing Positions with Computers Due to be Replaced with ITS Renewal and Replacement Funds sections below for detailed information on this policy.
   
2. 
   Each department is provided with a single networked laser printer to be shared by the entire department, as appropriate.
   
3. 
   College-funded computers, printers, and peripherals must be purchased through Mills College ITS with the following exclusions:
   
   • 
     Cables (USB, Thunderbolt, Micro/Mini USB, etc.)
     
   • 
     Adapters (VGA, DVI, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.)
     
   • 
     Surge protectors/power strips
     
   • 
     Non-standard keyboards
     
   • 
     Non-standard mice
     
   • 
     Paper
     
   • 
     Toner for LaserJet printers
     
   • 
     Ink for Inkjet printers
     
4. 
   All computers funded by Mills College are the property of Mills College, not the property of the faculty or staff member. All college-owned computing equipment must be returned to the college when an employee leaves the college.
   
5. 
   All Mills College employees must follow all Mills College rules to ensure the proper use and maintenance of their Mills College computer equipment. Any employee who is found to have neglected or misused Mills College computer equipment will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. If Mills College computer equipment is lost or damaged due to gross negligence or a dishonest or willful act, Mills College reserves the right to require the employee to pay all or part of the cost to repair or replace the property. Misappropriation of Mills College computer equipment is grounds for immediate termination and possible criminal action.
   

Newly created positions are eligible for equipment as detailed below. If an existing position is filled by a new person, that person is expected to continue using the computer previously provided for that position.

1. 
   New tenure track faculty will receive a new Dell or a Macintosh desktop or laptop computer.
   
2. 
   New full-time non-tenure track faculty may receive a used Dell or Macintosh desktop computer, as available.
   
3. 
   New part-time or visiting faculty may need to share a computer with others in the department or use the Faculty/Staff Computing Lab in Stern 27.
   
4. 
   New half-time or greater staff positions may receive a used Dell desktop computer, as available. If a new computer, Dell laptop, or Macintosh is desired, or if no used PC desktops are available, the staff member’s department will need to purchase a computer through ITS.
   
5. 
   New student worker or less than half-time positions may receive a used Dell desktop computer, as available, or be required to share a computer with others in the department or use the Faculty/Staff Computing Lab in Stern 27.
   
6. 
   New grant-funded positions should be provided with computers as part of the sponsoring grant. If the grant did not provide a computer for the position, the affiliated department will need to purchase a computer through ITS.
   

Only one computer per faculty and staff member (not including adjunct or visiting faculty) is included in the Mills College Renewal and Replacement (R&R) cycle. Once a computer is replaced through R&R, the old computer must be returned to ITS.

1. 
   Tenured or permanent full-time faculty and half-time or greater staff positions will receive a new standard Dell desktop or its cost equivalent in another supported hardware platform. If a Macintosh, laptop computer, or more expensive Dell desktop is desired, ITS will provide the cost of a standard PC desktop and the faculty or staff member’s department will need to fund the additional expense.
   
2. 
   Part-time or visiting faculty may receive used Dell or Macintosh desktop computers, as available, or be required to share a computer with others in the department or use the Faculty/Staff Computing Lab in Stern 27.
   
3. 
   Student worker or less than half-time positions may receive used desktop computers, as available, or be required to share a computer with others in the department or use the Faculty/Staff Computing Lab in Stern 27.
   
4. 
   Grant-funded positions should be provided with replacement computers as part of the sponsoring grant. If the grant does not provide funding for a replacement computer, the affiliated department will need to purchase a computer through ITS.
   

Each year ITS chooses a standard model Dell PC desktop and laptop and a standard model Macintosh desktop and laptop model. The standard models are selected by the ITS department to provide computers powerful enough to meet the needs of most faculty and staff members. Faculty or staff with high-end computing needs should consult with ITS about the best options or alternatives to the standard models.

Departmental or Grant Purchases

A department may choose to fund the replacement of a staff or faculty member's primary computer ahead of the ITS R&R cycle and return the old computer to ITS so it can be reassigned elsewhere. The new computer will start the cycle over again (e.g. if the old computer was due to be replaced in a year, the new computer will not then be replaced in a year).

If a department uses a portion of their budget or any other non-recurring funding source (e.g., a grant) to purchase a second computer or computing peripherals (e.g., printer, scanner, digital camera), this computing equipment is not eligible for replacement as part of the central ITS renewal and replacement cycle.

Printer Replacements

Only one networked laser printer per department is included in the R&R cycle, unless the need for an additional networked laser printer is demonstrated to and approved by ITS. Once a printer is replaced through R&R, the old printer must be returned to ITS.

Expansion

ITS determines the volume of desktop computing equipment Mills College is able to support.  This determination is based on staffing, repair and maintenance budgets, network infrastructure loads, current licensing models, and R&R budgets.  Each year the volume of desktop computing equipment owned and supported by Mills College increases.  From 1999 to 2013, computing equipment on campus increased 300%.  In order to address this issue, ITS must be consulted on all computing equipment expansion.  These requests include departmental lab expansion, new staff positions, large grants, etc.  ITS appreciates your assistance with our efforts to maintain a professional level of computing equipment on campus.

Personally-owned Equipment

ITS does not offer any support for personally-owned computing equipment.  Personally-owned computers may only be connected to the Mills network on the Bluesocket VLAN.  All computers connecting to the Mills network must have virus protection software installed.  If you do not have virus protection software, you may download and install free Sophos virus protection software here.

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