Conservation in EpiCH

> It appears that the "Disposing of University Equipment" policy relates
> to capital equipment. What options does our department have for
> disposing of equipment that is not capital equipment. We have
> equipment that was purchased with sponsored funds and equipment
> purchased with non sponsored funds. The department does not have a use
> for the equipment.
>
> Here are some examples: we have at least 10 Treo phones purchased with
> sponsored funds. These were used by field interviewers on a grant that
> has now come to an end. The phones are all working phones - can we
> sell them for fmv? We have any number of computers/monitors which we
> have no use for. We know how to dispose of computers that have no
> value. These have some value and could be used - we just don't have a
> use for them. It seems a waste to merely dispose of them when they
> might be sold for fmv.
>
> Can we sell the equipment to our employees? Is there a way to make it
> available to other departments at the U? Can we sell the equipment on
> ebay or Craigs list? It just seems a waste to let the equipment sit in
> a cabinet until it eventually becomes worthless and is then just sent
> into the waste stream?
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The policy changed as of 7/1/08. While departments must still route
completed disposal forms through Inventory Services for capital
equipment asset disposals, non-capital items no longer need be centrally
approved. We still encourage departments to complete forms for
non-capital disposals and keep them on file for their own internal use.
Non-capital equipment can be sold at a reasonable price and sales tax
still must be collected. Naturally, if you wish to dispose of
non-capital equipment bought on sponsored funds, you must be sure the
award has ended and that title is passing to your department.
As of now, you can sell computer equipment to employees. That may
change as Dennis Skovsted of Audits is reviewing the University's policy
on computer resale. He is leaning toward requiring computers to go to
Asset Recovery Corporation for disposal, citing data leakage as a risk
issue for the UM. Audits and the General Counsel's office have, in the
past, had concerns about sales on Ebay, as a personal account must be
set up for the sale and proceeds must be passed from the personal
account back into the University's accounts. Tom Eggenberger can speak
for Audits on that. I am not aware of any effective way for make
equipment available for other University departments. Como Recycling
Center can reassign items to other departments, but I don't believe your
department can see profit on those transactions. Asset Recovery
Corporation will take your surplus computer equipment, but again, for no
profit to Epi.