By Martin Briones
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

There are so many computers stored in the UH-Clear Lake basement that it is being referred to as the "computer graveyard." Some of these computers have been donated to public schools, but there are still many collecting dust.

Part of the reason for the stockpile is that UH-Clear Lake must follow rules and regulations as moderated by the state of Texas for disposal of surplus computers on the campus.

"Two bills passed by the 76th Legislature control the disposal of surplus computers by Texas institutions of higher education," said Greg Scoggins, UH-Clear Lake state property manager. "Senate Bill 1105 established the Surplus Higher Educational Instructional Property System, or SHIP, through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. House Bill 3226 established a computer recovery program
Stockpiles of computers (above)
accumulate in the university's basement.
photo by Natalie Seifert

through Texas Correctional Industries (a division of the Texas Department of Corrections)."

Texas public schools can search the SHIP System by institution and/or category at www.thecb.state.tx.us/ship.

"The SHIP System provides a central database of surplus property for the purpose of redistribution to Texas public schools," Scoggins said.

Computers are placed in the SHIP System once they are declared obsolete by UH-Clear Lake. The computers are advertised in the system for a minimum of 30 days.

"UHCL computers that are not redistributed to public schools are prepared for transfer to Texas Correctional Industries," Scoggins said. "Computers received by TCI are refurbished for sale to public schools or are recycled."

This means that once the public schools pass up the opportunities for computers, the option then goes to the Texas Department of Corrections. At the Texas Department of Corrections the computers are refurbished and either put to use by the Texas Department of Corrections or put up for auction to other government agencies.

Texas Correctional Industries can only sell to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, other state agencies, counties, school districts, political subdivisions and any local, state, federal or international government agency.

They may not sell to an individual or an organization that is not a local, state, federal or international government agency. For information on TCI's recovery program, visit www.tci.tdcj.state.tx.us/.

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