Cell Phones
CELLULAR PHONE POLICY
General
The University has contracted with AT&T Wireless (previously Cingular) and Sprint/Nextel to provide its cellular phone service. All those staff and faculty deemed to have a need by their department will be provided a cellular phone at the expense of their department.
This phone is for University Business only and is meant to act as a communications tool when out of the office and unable to use the desk phone. The desk phone should remain the primary communication tool. The University will make no reimbursements for other cell services or voluntary phone upgrades.
Users will be provided with a cellular phone and wireless services appropriate to their needs as provided by the companies currently under contract with the University. Exact models and services available will change as needs change and as the providers change their offerings.
Responsibility
The user is responsible for the phone assigned to them by the University and any damage or need to replace the unit will be done at the department’s expense. It will be up to the department to determine if any costs should be recovered from the user.
The user is responsible for any state and/or federal infractions for not obeying state and federal cellular laws.
The cell phone provided by the University is the property of the University. Upon leaving the University, it is the responsibility of the department to recover the phone from the user and to notify Campus Business Services of any change in status. It is also the user’s responsibility to turn in their phone to their supervisor.
California Law
Starting January 1, 2009 a new law will go into effect where writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving will be against the law for all drivers in California.
This new law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/no_text_law.htm
Effective July 1, 2008 California has implemented new restrictions on the use of cell phones in vehicles. California prohibits the use of cell phones in vehicles unless using a hands free device. Hands free devices include speaker phone, wire headset or a Bluetooth headset. Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use cell phones even with hands free devices.
http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf
Services
Upgrades in service packages (e.g. text messaging or e-mail service) or additional cellular phone line activations may only be authorized by the appropriate department heads. Upgrades to Smartphone devices may only be authorized by Sr. Vice Presidents.
Porting of Personal Cell Phone Numbers
Loyola Marymount University will not port in or out {personal numbers} celluar phone numbers. This device and phone number is the proprietary property of Loyola Marymount University. This device is to be used for business communications.
International Travel
Users need to advise Campus Business Services if there will be a need to use a cell phone for University business while traveling outside the United States. Currently most of the standard phones from AT&T and Sprint Nextel will not work in many other countries. Also – when traveling abroad, service is cheaper if International service is specifically requested and applied. This request must be done at least a week in advance of travel. The International service will need to remain on the device for up to 90 days after travel. Please inform Campus Business Services when your travels have concluded.
Personal Charges
All charges will be allocated to the departments responsible. Supervisors will review charges and all personal calls will be accounted for and reimbursement made to the University at a rate of $.12/minute or the actual expense for a long-distance, international, or service charges (e.g. text messaging) and must be made within 10 business days of receiving the bill.
Damage and Misuse
Excessive personal usage, non-reimbursement of account, physical misuse of the phone, and a change in determination of a position’s need for the phone are all reasons for the use of the cellular phone to be discontinued.
Damaged devices will only be serviced through LMU (Campus Business Services). Taking the broken devices to a service center without prior approval of the Campus Business Services office is prohibited.
The University reserves the right to discontinue service at any time.
Ordering a Cellular Phone, Blackberry, iPhone, PDA/Smartphone or Accessories
- The Department will fill out the request form in its entirety.
- Supervisor will sign the form. If the request is for a Blackberry, iPhone or PDA/Smartphone then the Sr. Vice President for the division must sign this form.
- Upon completion, forward the form to Campus Business Services.
- The order will be placed and the Department will be contacted by Campus Business Services when the phone and/or accessories are ready.
Turning in a Phone
When leaving the University the user will turn the phone in to their supervisor.
It is the responsibility of the Department to notify Campus Business Services that the phone needs to be suspended or terminated. If Campus Business Services in not notified, the budget will continue to accrue charges that the department is responsible for and will be non-reversible.
Questions regarding Cell Phone policies or procedures should be forwarded to Campus Business Services – (310) 338-2735 or onecard@lmu.edu
Office of Campus Business Services
revised 2/17/2010