Business
Services/Telecommunications
Policies,
Procedures, Plans and Standards
UNK Cell Phone Policy (PDF)
UNK Cell Phone Agreement (PDF)
Cellular Phone Service and
Communications Devices – Guidelines & Policy
The University of Nebraska
at Kearney (UNK) established a cellular phone policy to provide uniform
guidelines for the use and procurement of University-provided cellular phones
in a manner consistent with local, State and Federal laws.
Introduction/Purpose
Cellular
telephones and cellular-based wireless communications devices can be an
effective resource for University employees in the performance of their job
duties. For employees who spend
considerable time outside of their assigned office area, or who must be
accessible outside of scheduled or normal work hours, a cellular or mobile
device can be a significant benefit.
General Policy
Employee
Responsibilities –
University-provided cellular phones issued for use by University employees to
conduct University business are to be used for OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY BUSINESS
ONLY.
Employee agrees to carry
the cell phone with them, keep it charged and in operational condition, use it
appropriately, and be accessible for business use of the cellular phone device
as required by their direct report.
Employee agrees to abide by the Cell Phone Guidelines and Policies as
established by the University.
Employee agrees to list the cell phone number in the University telephone
directory if the cell phone is the employee’s working telephone number.
An employee is responsible for the physical security of the cell phone
assigned to the employee. If the cell
phone is vandalized, lost, stolen, or is otherwise unavailable for normal
business activities, an employee must inform their supervisor.
Assure that cell phone etiquette is followed.
Guidelines
to Receive a Cellphone: Cellular
phones may be provided to certain University employees to conduct activities
incident to their University employment that either cannot be conducted on a
land-line telephone or for which it would be inefficient to use a land-line
telephone. Such activities can include
improving customer service, enhancing business efficiency, and providing safety
and/or security. Cellular phones may be
required to be carried by designated University employees who are required to
be available out of scheduled or normal work hours or 24/7 by their supervisor
as a condition of employment.
Guidelines for Cell Phone Use
Personal use – Normally such use should not result in
additional costs to the University. When personal
charges are found, it is the employee’s responsibility to reimburse the
University for all personal use.
Institutional benefit – The employee
agrees to carry the cell phone with them, keep it charged and in operational
condition, and be accessible for business use as required by their direct
report.
Appropriate use – The employee agrees to use the
phone in ways consistent with all applicable local, state or federal laws.
Inappropriate and unlawful use of cell phone features, such as camera
equipment, is prohibited.
Use of a cell phone
while operating a vehicle – Cell phones users must be aware of state and municipal
laws regarding the use of phones while driving.
The laws vary widely by location.
In addition, use of phones while driving can cause hazardous
distraction, especially in adverse weather, heavy traffic, or limited
visibility conditions. The use of
University-owned or personal cell phones (texting, emailing, or verbal
communication) while driving a University-owned, personal or rental vehicle
when acting as an agent of the University
of Nebraska at Kearney
is prohibited. Public Safety Vehicles
may be exempt from these requirements when the use of a personal communication
device is an essential function of the operator’s official duties.
Departmental
Provided Cell Phones
Departmental
Assigned Cell Phone - There are some circumstances where a “departmentally
assigned cell phone” may be provided by the University that is not assigned to
a specific individual. In these cases,
the University will provide cell phone service and equipment.
Service
and equipment procurement - Telecommunications will arrange for service
and phone equipment as appropriate.
Monthly
billing statements from the carrier - Telecommunications will process
the carrier invoices for payment. The invoice breaks down the costs by
individual telephone number including voice and data service plans, special
features, plus any equipment that might have been purchased for that phone number.
When new service is ordered Telecommunications requires a cost object number
from the responsible department to associate with the new phone number.
Departmental
bill back - Telecommunications allocates the full amount of each
individual billing statement to the responsible departmental cost object on a
monthly basis. These charges are submitted via intercampus mail and left to the
department to review. In the event that billing errors are detected by
Telecommunications, or reported to Telecommunications, the carrier
representative is contacted to make adjustments in subsequent billing periods.
Usage
tracking and review - It is the responsibility of the department to
review monthly billing statements. The
department should confirm the usage charges and review any additional features
or equipment included on the statement.
State Statute
State Statute
81-1120.27: The facilities of the
University’s telecommunications systems are provided for the conduct of
University business. In addition, the
University’s telecommunications systems, cellular telephones, electronic
handheld devices, or computer may be used by University employees and officials
for emails, text messaging, local calls, and long-distance call to children at
home, teachers, doctors, day care centers, baby sitters, family members, or
others to inform them of unexpected schedule changes, and for other essential
personal business. Any such use for
essential personal business shall be kept to a minimum and shall not interfere
with the conduct of University business.
A University employee shall be responsible for payment or reimbursement
of charges, if any, that directly result from any such communication. However, the reporting of minimal personal
use is the responsibility of the employee.
Further, it will be the employee’s direct report who will verify and
audit the University monthly cellular billing of each employee to verify that
all personal calls are accounted for and to ensure the usage is consistent with
University operations.
Monitoring
Appropriate Usage
The
responsibility to monitor usage and ensure its appropriateness resides within
the department to which the cellular equipment is assigned. Recommendations for effective monitoring
include:
- Employee
education regarding the use of the cellular equipment.
- Provision
of a copy of the policy on Cell Phone Guidelines and Policies as established by
the University.
- Validation
of the legitimacy of calls made to and from the cellular equipment via
information presented in the call detail.
Notify Telecommunications of any issues and/or concerns with monthly
invoices or information contained therein.
- Collection
and deposit of monies owed to the University for usage determined to be
non-university related.
- Possible
disciplinary action or discontinuance of cellular phone authorization as a
result of continued misuse or abuse of University-supplied cellular service.
- Annual
evaluation of plan offerings and cellular needs; and modification of service
plans and equipment through Telecommunications as deemed necessary to achieve
the most effective and cost efficient use of cellular equipment.
Service Problems, Damage, Loss or Theft of Equipment
In the event
of service problems, damage, loss or theft of an employee’s University-provided
cellular equipment, please contact Telecommunications as soon as possible. Arrangements will be made with the carrier to
correct the problem, modify service, order replacement equipment, etc. All charges incurred for replacement or
repair will be the responsibility of the employee’s department.
Termination of Cellular Service
When existing
cellular service is no longer deemed necessary, the department is responsible
for promptly contacting Telecommunications to request termination of the
service. Telecommunications will contact
the carrier regarding the requested termination. Early termination fees may apply.