Wireless Devices and IT Resources

Wireless Devices

If you require a cellular telephone or other wireless device, including smartphones, data plan, and/or air cards (for mobile Internet access) to conduct University business, you may obtain a UT-provided device and wireless plan or use your personal device and plan and receive a monthly technology allowance (see below).

All costs associated with a UT device and wireless plan are charged to your department. You are responsible for the timely review and approval of monthly statements to substantiate the business use.

Information Technology Resources

The University will provide you with a computer (desktop, tablet, and/or laptop), e-mail account, and access to the internet to conduct UT business, including remote access if needed.
If you use a personal desktop, tablet, or laptop to conduct UT business or to connect to UT’s IT resources, the same policy provisions apply as for University-provided resources (see below).

Technology Allowance

You may obtain a technology allowance to offset the business use of personal wireless devices as well as a home internet connection. The allowance will be paid every regular pay period through the payroll system and will be identified separately on your payroll remittance. You are responsible for purchasing your own device and/or service. The allowance is intended to offset the business use of the device or service and not as a reimbursement for its total cost. The allowance will be reported to the IRS as taxable income.

Privacy

You should have no expectation of privacy regarding information stored on, sent, or received through University wireless and IT resources or personally owned wireless and IT resources used to conduct UT business or connected to UT’s IT resources. Any activity on systems and networks may be monitored, logged, and reviewed by University-approved personnel or may be discovered in legal proceedings. All documents created, stored, sent, or received on University computers and networks may be subject to monitoring by systems administrators.

Tennessee Open Records Act

Under the Tennessee Open Records Act, any record made or received in connection with the transaction of University business is a public record, including billing and other communications records (such as e-mail), unless confidential under federal or state law, regardless of whether the record was made or received on or through UT-owned wireless and IT resources or personal wireless and IT resources. Public records are subject to inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, including a representative of the media.

See Policy FI0730 for more information on the use of wireless devices and requesting wireless service. See Policy IT0110 for more information on acceptable use of the University’s information technology resources and restrictions regarding UT-provided and personally owned IT resources.