I have a university-issued computer… can I keep it when I leave?

The short answer is …. no.

The Office of Fixed Assets and Surplus Property periodically receives questions from employees and students about purchasing or obtaining surplus university equipment, particularly computers, for personal use when they leave the university. We would like to clarify the policies and state laws that govern surplus property at JMU.

According to the Fixed Assets section of the Financial Procedures Manual, all University property that is determined to be excess, unwanted, or can no longer be utilized by a department is eligible for direct transfer to other campus departments or must be transferred to Surplus Property.

Except within the limits noted below, the Code of Virginia, § 2.2-3106 of the Conflict of Interests Act prohibits State employees and their immediate family from purchasing surplus property directly. An employee’s immediate family includes the employee’s spouse, and any other person living in the employee’s household who is a dependent of the employee or on whom the employee is dependent.

A $500 limit to purchasing surplus property applies to surplus property sales, such as auctions or internet sales (GovDeals.com), even if the State employee buyer works for a different agency than the selling agency.

Sales and donations of surplus property are limited to eligible organizations, including political subdivisions, school divisions, and qualified 501(c) nonprofit organizations. State law does not authorize the gifting or sale of surplus computers or other equipment to current or former university employees.

Please keep this in mind as faculty and staff prepare for retirement or separation from the university. Questions about surplus property should be directed to the Office of Fixed Assets and Surplus Property.