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Information Technology

Technology Surcharge

UWSP has a technology support infrastructure consisting of the campus network, servers, Internet access, and base software like Windows and Outlook Email. Services like purchasing, repair, help desk, and training together with the hardware/software infrastructure comprise our computing environment on which the campus heavily relies.

Monies for funding support have traditionally been obtained in part by a percentage charge on new technology purchases. A 10% technology surcharge was added to all purchases to enable support for those new items. Prior to 1997, all technology purchases were assessed this 10% charge at the time of purchase.

In 1997, the Line Officers moved to give Information Technology a base budget increase and to eliminate the technology surcharge on all General Program Revenue (GPR) purchases. GPR appropriations are 102, 105, 114, 115 and 402. A budget reallocation was made out of GPR funds to compensate for the removal of the surcharge. This provided Information Technology with about 60% of the monies it had previously obtained via the Technology Surcharge.

Because this is GPR funding, Program Revenue (PR) accounts are still assessed the Technology Surcharge as has always been done. GPR funds cannot be used to support PR operations. That is why the University cannot use any of the GPR allocation to cover the Technology Surcharge for PR orders. Prior to 1997, this charge was part of each hardware purchase. In 1997, all PR monies were transferred at the end of the year. Since 1998, quarterly transfers have been made by the Controller's office against any PR accounts that have made technology purchases.

If a department orders computer hardware from a PR account, the 10% Technology Surcharge will be applicable. If a department orders computer hardware from a GPR account and then requests to move the charge to a PR account, the 10% Technology Surcharge will be assessed when the expense is transferred. If you are writing a grant for computer hardware purchases, remember to build the 10% charge into the grant expense.

Questions about specific charges should be directed to Ruth Porrey in the Controller's office. Questions about this policy should be taken though appropriate channels to the Line Officers. Questions for Information Technology should be directed to the Help Desk (helpdesk@uwsp.edu) for appropriate routing.