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Dr. Naps,
Could you please forward this to the officers of the Computer Science Club? I'm having trouble contacting them. This message concerns unwanted computers and their fate, which we discussed a few weeks ago. Matthew Zimmerman, president of OSA, knows most of the information below, and thinks it might yet be worthwhile to consider making some of these old computers available for students who want them.
Computer Sci Club folks, please contact me. This forwarded message tells you most everything, but we really should talk when you get a moment. My phone is 715 496 0264.
gracias,
jd
Note: forwarded message attached.
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Mr. Decker,
I apologize for the delay in replying, but the start of the semester is a
very busy time for us.
Academic Computing has taken a more active role in computer disposal on
campus in order to make the best use of our campus resources. We review
all computer equipment that units are disposing of, to see if they meet our
minimum standards. If they do, then we redirect them to users on campus
who have even older computers. For this reason, the majority of the
computers that have made it to surplus are Pentium I PCs, that I doubt any
student would want. I would not consider them "quality computers", though
I'm sure the price would be reasonable.
We don't give these computers to the Department of Corrections, they pick
them up as part of a recycling program. This saves the campus a little
money by reducing the amount of monitors and other equipment that would
ultimately get sent to the dump. This was done because Central Stores
could no longer afford to hire student help to clean up the surplus
computers for sale. If I had known of your offer to volunteer for that
work, I might have recommended different action.
Corrections does not just give these computers to inmates. Inmates put
together as many usable computers as possible for resale. It is an
opportunity for them to learn a skill and possibly contribute to the
community. The remaining computers are stripped of metals and parts that
can be recycled. Again, sending less scrap to the dump. Students and
community members can still buy these quality refurbished computers at a
reasonable price by contacting Ann Bailey or Marilyn Reigstad at
608-240-5237 or e-mailing ann.bailey@doc.state.wi.us or
marilyn.reigstad@doc.state.wi.us.
We replace between 115 and 150 computers in the labs each year. All
computers removed from the GCA student labs are reassigned to other
department labs or users on campus. We reassigned 60 computers, mostly
Pentium II, from departments that were disposing of them to departments
that had even older computers. We sent approximately 450 computers off
campus from departments that no longer needed them from June 2002 through
July 2003. Most of these were Zenith Pentium I computers with processor
speed under 100MHz or Apple Quadra or IIe/c computers that didn't even have
hard drives.
This reply got a little long, but I hope it helps you understand what we
are doing with computers on campus. If you'd like to discuss this further,
please call me at 424-2368.
At 11:35 AM 8/28/2003 -0700, Jeffrey Decker wrote:
Mr. Johnson and Ms. Knaapen,
I'd like to ask you about the computers that have been removed
from computer labs at UW-Oshkosh. Last year many wonderful new computers
were installed into the computer labs, and I'm told there may have been
some new computers brought in this summer.
Talking with Mr. Dan Stry, I've learned that the old computers are
given to the Department of Corrections and won't be sold at the
university's surplus sale anytime soon. Mr. Johnson, you may have seen a
letter from me offering my services and the services of members of the
Computer Science Club to wipe these computers clean of registered
programs so they could be resold. I know many students and community
members look forward to getting quality computers at reasonable prices at
the sales.
Can you please help me understand why these valuable computers
are being given away? And, if they are being given away, why is it to a
correctional facility and not to students?
Also, I'm wondering if you have a list of the number and type of
computers that have been replaced and removed in the last year.
You should also know that I was enrolled at UW-O for the Fall,
but now will not be attending. I hope you still have time to help me
understand.
Thank you,
Jeffrey Decker
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Laura J. Knaapen
Director of Academic Computing
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
920-424-2368
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