Support of the Client Infrastructure

Policy

The APU standard supported personal computing platform is the IBM compatible PC. It is recognized, however, that for specialized application, and for academic teaching purposes, the Apple Macintosh (Mac) computer environment, will continue to co-exist and will require support. As a result, the policy of APU IT support is that help desk and technical support for this environment will be provided, but should be considered as limited. Where exclusive use of the Macintosh environment exists, the technical support will be outsourced in collaboration with the Office of the CIO. New Macintosh environments will be approved through the University Information Management Committee (UIMC).

Scope

This policy was created for university employees who require specialized applications for their work environment. The issue of IT support is covered within this policy.

Procedure

Purchase of university-owned personal computers will continue to be procured through IT, and refreshed within the APU refresh Policy.

Exceptions to the Wintel environment may be made by the CIO in cases where the benefits of the Macintosh platform (e.g. curriculum, teaching products, superior visual design capabilities, etc.) outweigh the benefits of single platform support.

Support by IT staff will be limited to installation, network configuration, and connectivity to the university’s network. Additional technical support and maintenance will be outsourced. This contract will be managed by IT, but budgeted within in the administrative budget of the particular department.

References to Mac-specific versions of software in the university’s software standards will be eliminated since, in most cases, the windows version is close enough to make distinctions insignificant, or the use is not university wide.

IT will continue to seek overall solutions, site licenses, etc. which caters to the APU customer base, which includes Mac customers. However, it should be noted that the strategic intent of the university clarifies the Mac environment as a “specialized tool” and there is potential for strategic administrative/departmental technology decisions, which may not include the Macintosh platform.

Appendix A -- Policy Routing

Status: Discussion

  • This policy was approved by the UIMC on
  • This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on
  • This policy was approved by Academic Cabinet on

Approved by: John C. Reynolds, Vice President of Information Technology
Author: John C. Reynolds, Vice President of Information Technology

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