|
What
is SCOAP?
SCOAP
is a no-interest computer loan program. It succeeds the Microcomputer Loan Program
(MLP) which has been discontinued.
Why
is the College offering this program?
To
answer this question, we need to look at the history of the predecessor
program.The MLP was put in place in 1985 to encourage
faculty and staff to purchase personal computers (PCs) in order
to promote and integrate computer literacy in fulfilling College
responsibilities.At that time, PCs were new to the marketplace, and the College could
not afford to put one on every desk. The goal was to leverage resources by granting no-interest
loans to faculty and staff. As those funds were paid back, they were
in turn re-lent to others. Thus, the number of PCs among the faculty and staff increased,
but more importantly, so did the collective skills of the community. The program was very successful
over the years, several hundred people participated.
Looking
back, it’s certainly an understatement to say things have
changed a bit since 1985 in the microcomputer world. Today, most of our staff not only have
a PC on their desk, but also are expected to be knowledgeable in
desktop tools and to be Internet savvy.
Nevertheless, one of the fundamental reasons for the MLP
still holds true today - the use and exposure to computers outside
of the College has a beneficial impact on the collective skills
of the community. Further, a growing number of our colleagues
are finding it increasingly important to work from home using a
computer. While the
College cannot afford to purchase computers for employees’ homes, it can make it a bit easier for them to purchase their own
through this program. So, while the environment has changed,
we believe the program is still viable and can play a helpful role.
How
does SCOAP work?
In
developing the guidelines
for SCOAP our goal was to streamline it as much as possible, making
it easier for the participant and the College alike. First and foremost, participation among all eligible employees
is totally elective on the part of the employee. Supervisor or department chair/office
director approval is no longer needed. When you’re ready to
participate, you can do so in three easy steps:
1. Purchase a Dell or Apple computer directly from these
manufacturers via the Skidmore Computer Depot computer
recommendation's web page- The computer will be shipped
directly to your residence.
2. Make an appointment with Margie Noel, Staff Accountant,
in the Financial Services Office in Barrett Center to bring her
the paid vendor invoice and execute a promissory
note.
3. Financial Services will, in exchange, issue you a check
for the amount of the loan.
Who
is eligible?
All
regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff are
eligible to participate in the program.
Employees in temporary positions are not eligible for the
program. If you’re uncertain of your status, please check with
either the Human Resources or Payroll Office before purchasing your
computer.
How
much may I borrow?
You
may borrow up to 95% of the purchase price of the computer and related
components (excluding sales tax) to a maximum of $3,000.
The minimum loan available is $500.
How
is the loan repaid, and how long do I have to pay it back?
All
participants are required to repay their loans via payroll deduction.
Any month you are employed but not receiving a paycheck (e.g.
sabbatical, unpaid leave of absence, less than 12-month appointment,
etc.), you must remit your payments directly to the College. You
may take up to 39 pay periods (approximately 18 months) to repay
the balance due.
May
I buy the computer somewhere other than the Computer Depot?
No. Requiring the purchase through the Depot ensures that all systems
are compatible with the College’s network and meet the College’s
quality standards. Only
equipment purchased through the Depot is eligible, even if it is
a Dell or Apple machine.
Is
it possible to receive the loan proceeds in advance of purchasing
the computer?
No. The web based self-service model is designed for you to purchase
the computer directly using a credit card. To keep the administrative costs as low as possible, the College
is not advancing funds to facilitate the purchase. This avoids the inevitable follow up communications
and paperwork chase.
May
I use the program to buy peripheral components (e.g. printers, scanners,
etc.) and/or software?
You
may include as many peripherals and software bundles in your computer
configuration as you wish, but the program cannot be used to purchase
these items separately.
What
happens if I leave the College before the loan is paid back?
The
loan is due and payable upon leaving the College’s employ.
You must pay the outstanding balance in full at that time.
What
happens if I have trouble with my computer? Who is responsible?
You
are responsible for all repairs and maintenance.
During the warranty period, you will need to work directly
with the vendor. The College is not responsible, and cannot
offer assistance in such matters.
What
if I have questions on what to buy?
The
folks in the Computer Depot will be happy to respond to questions
and provide general purchase advice.
Can
I participate in the program, but give the computer to someone else
(e.g. a family member)?
The
program has been put in place to provide employees with personal
PCs. While it is reasonable that many of these will in actuality
be “family” PCs, they are not intended to be given solely
to someone other than the employee.
May
I sell or trade the computer?
Until
the loan is repaid, you are required to maintain possession of the
computer. The promissory note you sign will grant the College a security
interest in the computer.
If you don’t repay the loan, the College reserves the
right to repossess the machine.
Can
I participate in the program more than once?
Yes. You may participate in SCOAP once every three years. If you previously participated in the MLP program, you may
participate in SCOAP three years from the time you took your last
MLP loan. |
