Technology Refresh Bank: Open for Business
In the not-too-distant past, people felt the need to excuse themselves to go “freshen up.” Now-a-days, there’s no excuse necessary, especially when it comes to getting new, up-to-date computer equipment for student computing labs.
The Technology Refresh Bank (TRB) is accepting applications for the refresh of departmental student computing labs.
Loans are available year-round and interest-free on a first come-first served and non-competitive basis. The duration of payback is one to four years, as best suits the needs of the applying department. In addition, departments may refresh all or part of their existing labs.
The History
The Refresh Bank was started in 2001 to help fund teaching environments and student labs. Sally Jackson, former The University of Arizona Chief Information Officer, founded the Bank to provide departmental loans to help annualize ongoing technology refresh expenses. Initially, $200,000 was allocated annually for TRB awards and all department payments went back into the TRB to be awarded again.
Originally part loan and part grant (but now all loan), the TRB provided 100 percent of the funds required to refresh an entire student computing lab. As of July 2006, the TRB had made 46 loan awards totaling $1,615,404. Nearly every college on campus has been a recipient during the past five years.
Funding for the TRB was reduced in August 2006 as part of a campus-wide budget reduction. Currently the TRB receives $107,500 in new funds annually and the ongoing payments from departments still go back into the TRB to be awarded again.
The TRB provides up to 100 percent of the funds necessary to refresh a student computing lab and the payback period is still one to four years, depending on the needs of the department. No interest is charged for this service and applications are accepted anytime throughout the year.
The Requirements
Funds are limited and periodically the duration of time between filing an application and receiving a loan can take up to six months.
Funds are provided for student computing lab refresh only and are limited to hardware, software and computer peripherals. Departments with multiple student computing labs are eligible for multiple, simultaneous loans.
Under no circumstances shall TRB funding be used for any other purpose, including but not limited to personnel funding, travel, research expenses, employee workstations, networking infrastructure costs or operating expenses. All purchased computing equipment belongs to the department after the loans are repaid.
Completed applications are submitted to the TRB Administrator:
Limell' Lawson
Computer Center Room 302
520-621-6576
Full details and application are online at: techrefreshbank.arizona.edu
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