Generations Program
LAITS manages computer lifecycle replacement programs for eligible COLA departments, helping ensure that faculty have access to reliable, up-to-date computing resources.
Tenured and Tenure-Track (T/TT) Faculty
The LAITS Generations Program provides lifecycle-managed computers to eligible Tenured and Tenure-Track (T/TT) faculty. Computers are provided to faculty members who hold one of the following roles:
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
One Generations computer is provided to each T/TT faculty member and is typically replaced on a four-year cycle.
Faculty are required to relinquish their former Generations computer upon receiving a replacement. Faculty can choose between a laptop or desktop; standardized models are provided to ensure reusability for other purposes. Computers assigned to a LAITS financial code in DEFINE.
Generations Program computers are assigned to eligible faculty members and are intended for their primary use. Devices identified as being used by other than the intended faculty member may be reclaimed.
Faculty may choose to defer a scheduled computer replacement or opt-out of the program entirely. Eligible faculty will be contacted annually regarding replacement opportunities. Faculty who opt out and retain their current computer are responsible for returning the device once it is no longer supported in accordance with the Supported Computer Policy.
Accessories are not included in the Generations Program. Monitors, keyboards, mice, docking stations, and other peripherals are the responsibility of the faculty member or department. Desktop computer deployments typically include a standard keyboard and mouse.
Program eligibility is tied to qualifying faculty appointments. Faculty whose appointment changes from Tenured or Tenure-Track (T/TT) status to another role, such as Adjunct, Research, or Emeritus, must return their Generations Program computer for reassignment. LAITS may consider requests for an alternative computer based on business need and available inventory.
Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty
Certain Non-Tenure Track (NTT) instructional faculty may qualify for the Generations Program. Participating NTT faculty are subject to the same eligibility requirements and computer lifecycle policies as Tenured and Tenure-Track (T/TT) faculty. Eligible NTT faculty roles include:
Professor of Instruction (Distinguished Senior Lecturer)
Associate Professor of Instruction (Senior Lecturer)
Computers for all other NTT faculty roles, including Assistant Professor of Instruction (Lecturers) are typically the responsibility of the department.
LAITS maintains a cohort of repurposed computers that, at LAITS’s discretion, may be provided to these faculty. Computers provided to NTT faculty will be transferred to the respective department and must be maintained according to LAITS computer support policy.
Faculty Emeritus
Faculty transitioning to Emeritus status are required to return all university-owned computers and related equipment upon retirement.
This is not a new policy. It has been the long-standing policy of the University and the State of Texas that faculty who retire or otherwise end their employment with the University return university-owned property.
State law prohibits other options for allowing Emeritus faculty to maintain possession of university-owned computers outside of the official Surplus Property process. State law forbids us from giving or donating University-owned computers to faculty retirees.
LAITS will assist Emeritus faculty by recommending appropriate models for their personal use and will assist with transferring data from their university-owned computer to their personally-owned computer.
Please note that limited 'best effort' support will be available to Emeritus faculty.
Staff Computers
Funding for research computers assigned to staff is the responsibility of the faculty researcher and/or the sponsoring department. At its discretion, LAITS may provide repurposed computers from its available inventory to support staff based on demonstrated business need and equipment availability.
Any computers provided will be transferred to the respective department and must be maintained according to LAITS computer support policy.
Research Computers
Funding for research computers assigned to staff is the responsibility of the faculty researcher and/or the sponsoring department.
LAITS maintains a cohort of repurposed computers that, at LAITS’ discretion, may be provided for research use, depending on business case.
Any computers provided will be transferred to the respective department and must be maintained according to LAITS computer support policy.
Customer Responsibility
Generations Program computers are designated for eligible faculty members and are not intended for student use, including graduate students, except when assigned to student employees for university business purposes.
Misuse of program equipment or failure to return equipment in acceptable condition may result in the participant's removal from the Generations Program.