Information Technology Services (ITS), working with members of the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and Contracts and Procurement, has developed a new streamlined process to guide campus users through the purchase of IT equipment and software. This new process will ensure that all HSU IT purchases abide by the Chancellor's Office policy requiring that these products meet Section 508 accessibility requirements. Systems and software that are not fully accessible create a situation of inequity and pose a potential liability risk to the University if any student, faculty, staff, parent, or member of the public is unable to use them. For this reason, products purchased by campus users outside of this process may have to be returned.

Effective immediately, when you need to purchase new IT equipment or software, you must first submit a short form that ITS and members of the multi-departmental ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report) team will review to determine if the items you are requesting meet accessibility and security requirements, as well as being supportable by ITS. Once this review has taken place and you’ve received approval to move ahead, you will submit your requisition and any accompanying documentation to Contracts and Procurement to issue a Purchase Order.

To ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible, there is a pre-approved list for certain IT products that will guide you to the Campus MarketPlace, where you can purchase from contracted vendors using a ProCard. If your purchase includes computers or printers, a ‘Computer & Printer Purchasing for Staff and Faculty’ page will walk you through selecting the optimal model for your requirements.

This new process will help ensure that all purchases are both accessible to all intended users and can be supported by ITS. Check it out for yourself to see how easy it can be!

We will be coming to the following information exchange meetings to answer questions:

Information Exchange on 11/1
Budget and Finance Meeting on 11/13

If you have any questions about the process, submit a Technology Help Desk ticket. For questions about the Campus MarketPlace, send an email to procure@humboldt.edu.