This memorandum is to announce the Computer Replacement Initiative (CRI) for the Academic Year 2018-2019.  CRI is being extended across the campus to all faculty and staff; each division has developed the criteria to be used in that division.  This continues to be an important initiative as we strive to provide our faculty and staff with the technology tools needed to carry out our academic mission.  Funds available for the CRI continue to be limited and consequently we anticipate that we will not be able to fund all the meritorious applications.

Within Academic Affairs, the procedures for this year’s CRI will be the same as last year’s and we will also maintain the same subsidy levels as before.  Specifically, the subsidy for a laptop is $1,000 and the subsidy for a desktop is $600.  The goal for this differential is to promote the purchase of laptops by faculty and staff based on the advantages provided by laptops in the areas of academic continuity, sustainability, portability and teaching with technology as we continue to enhance our pool of classrooms.  Those wishing to purchase a different configuration may apply the subsidy amount toward the purchase of a customized computer configuration.  All computers should minimally be purchased with a three-year warranty.

Ordering of the new machines will occur in early June.  Installations will begin as soon as the machines arrive, and we will endeavor to complete as many of the installations as possible in advance of the fall semester.  Given the success achieved during the previous years with a single procurement and mass distribution of PCs, we will continue with a similar program this year.  As in the past, we will have several “standard” configurations included in this procurement.  The minimum and recommended configurations for a desktop and laptops can be found at:

 Recommended Technology for Faculty and Staff

 The CRI has always required cost sharing of new computers.  As indicated above, we will provide a subsidy of $600 for a desktop computer and $1,000 for a laptop computer.

We will place a bulk purchase with Dell so machines can be delivered and installed in advance of the start of the Fall 2018 semester.  Each individual will have the option of using the bulk purchase or ordering their customized unit from either Dell or another vendor.  I encourage you to participate in this bulk purchase plan given the benefits we have seen in the past.  Your department will be charged a one-time amount depending on which option you should select.  The options available and the exact department cost share for each option will be announced in March as soon as we have such information from Dell.

The timeline for this year’s CRI is the following:

• February 12, 2018 - Announcement sent to campus
• March 30, 2018 - Deadline for submitting the CRI application via the DoIT web form
• April 13, 2018 - Notification to chairs/directors of award recommendations from the review committee
• April 18, 2018 -Feedback from chairs/directors on the award recommendations
• April 23, 2018 -Review by the deans of the awards list
• April 30, 2018 -Awards are announced
• May 25, 2018 - Deadline for awardees to make their computer options selection
• Early June - Computer order will be placed

The College of Engineering and Information Technology administers the following scholarships through a common application:

• AFCEA CMD Scholarship
• Anthony Alvarez Award
• Carmi Family Scholarship
• Danaher Scholarship
• Vijay Jose Memorial Scholarship
• Legg Mason Scholarship
• Janice Antoine Lumpkin Scholarship
• Mercedes-Benz Scholarship
• Northrop Grumman Scholarship
• Pinkston Scholarship
• Rite Aid Scholarship
• John B. Schwartz Scholarship
• Gregory Schwerdt Endowed Memorial Scholarship
• W. Patrick Wilson Scholarship
• Verizon Scholarship

The application deadline is February 15, 2018. Students must login to myUMBC to access the application form below.

Instructions: Instructions and Eligibility Requirements

Application:  Application Form

Please note that a FAFSA should be on file with UMBC’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for consideration.

Awards are contingent on the availability of funds for each academic year. Please direct any questions about the application process to josh.abrams@umbc.edu.