Version Jan. 31, 2025
Technology procurement principles are intended to help us choose and manage technology in a way that supports teaching, learning, research, and day-to-day operations. They are designed to ensure we make resource-optimized choices that align with our goals while keeping everything secure, accessible, and compliant with university policies and regulations.
New Ways of Thinking
Principle
We procure technologies that are adaptable to changing public health landscapes, focusing on solutions that balance individual autonomy with collective safety, such as secure and user-friendly health data platforms.
Application
- Computers purchased for faculty and staff remain the property of the School of Public Health (SPH), promoting accountability and institutional resource sustainability.
- Data security and integrity are prioritized with strict protocols for wiping data upon replacement, ensuring public trust and compliance with industry best practices.
New Ways of Working
Principle
We integrate advanced technologies such as AI, data science, and remote sensing into procurement priorities to enhance analysis and decision-making. Procurement should prioritize equitable access to cutting-edge tools that improve operational efficiency.
Application
- SPH establishes annual standard configurations for cost-effective procurement, supporting consistency and operational efficiency.
- All technology procurements must be through SPH IT to optimize pricing and ensure the long-term viability of equipment, aligning with financial prudence and technological relevance.
- All faculty have discretionary funds that can fund technology to suit their academic engagements and those of their research teams if applicable.
- For centrally funded staff, technology is purchased through the office of the Associate Dean of Administration (ADA). The ADA will endeavor to maximize efficiency, including reusing computers as applicable. In the case of computer reuse, a computer will be wiped of previous data, and relevant software will be reinstalled.
New Pathways to Impact
Principle
We select technologies that support a research-to-action pipeline, ensuring rapid, evidence-based responses to health challenges. Procurement should emphasize tools that deliver practical, scalable, and real-world benefits.
Application
- Replacement cycles are structured based on machine age, capabilities, and security requirements, ensuring reliable and modern tools for research and teaching.
- Replacement of research computers is the responsibility of the discretionary accounts or appropriate grant funds.
- Refurbished computers are repurposed for student workers, outdated research computers, or departmental needs, maximizing the utility of resources and fostering sustainable practices.
- Security measures, including the retention and destruction of old device data, will be the foundations of a proactive approach to risk management.
New Partnerships
Principle
Engage diverse partners, including private-sector innovators and community-based organizations, in technology procurement. Collaborations should focus on mutual benefit, leveraging expertise to build comprehensive, health-focused technology ecosystems.
Application
- Collaboration between SPH IT and departments will ensure tailored solutions, such as optimizing funding for upgraded equipment or customized configurations.
- External licensing agreements, such as those with Microsoft, are considered in the procurement and transfer processes, ensuring compliance and shared accountability.