Changes in Cell Phone Procedures

This new policy has completed the required 30-day review period and is scheduled to be effective January 1, 2024.  

While the goal of this new policy is to clarify processes and standards related to cell phones used for university business, this modernization is also expected to save significant resources. This change will also reduce the amount of administrative support currently required to manage the University’s Verizon account. The new policy will mirror best practice policies that have been successful at other institutions and better align with current operations.

Key points related to the new policy include:

• Individual-use cell phones owned by the university will no longer be provided.  
• Employees that currently have an University-owned Mobile Communication Device or utilize a service plan in the name of the University will transition to a personal device or plan as soon as possible but no later than January 1, 2024. Employees may keep Mobile Communication Devices currently in their possession and, with supervisor approval, may transfer their University mobile number to a personal plan, if desired. The University will pay all costs related to canceling such service or, if the employee chooses to transfer the service to a personal plan, the costs of the transfer shall be paid by the employee. Employees impacted by the new policy should discuss questions and concerns with their supervisors. 
• In some, limited cases, the University may determine certain job-related responsibilities may require temporary, or intermittent use of a University-owned device for business purposes. A department may, in some limited cases and only with Vice President approval, purchase and own Mobile Communication Devices for departmental use, such as a duty, or on-call phone. Mobile Communication Devices should not be selected as an alternative to other means of communication – e.g., landlines, radio devices, and other wifi-enabled mobile devices, etc. – when such alternatives would provide adequate but less costly service to the University. Supervisors receiving such requests from their employees should work with Information Technology Services to identify solutions.
• ISU departments and employees have access to Google solutions such as Google Workplace, including Google Chat, and GMail that are highly effective business communication tools that do not require employees to use their personal cell phone number for work purposes.  
• Discounts and promotions on personal plans are still available to ISU employees through Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Cricket.
• To prepare for the effective date of the new policy, faculty and staff are being advised to work with supervisors to plan for communication needs or to transfer a current University cell phone to a personal plan. Supervisors seeking guidance on hardware or software alternatives to University-issued cell phones may contact Renae Scott, Information Technology Services, at renaescott@isu.edu  for assistance.