This policy/procedure is designed to comply with state regulations and guidelines and to assist management in carrying out their responsibilities regarding the accountability for university equipment, including: Reporting of changes in equipment status Temporary relocation of equipment Tracking of fixed assets
Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs
Effective September 20, 1994; Updated October 16, 1995; Updated September 12, 1996; Updated July 1, 1999, Updated July 1, 2006; Updated January 1 and October 1, 2008; Updated July 1, 2009; Updated April 1, 2016; supersedes former Administration Policy No. ACG2.60, “University Equipment”
Office of State Purchasing and University Business Practices
Controller - Fixed Assets
Purpose
This policy/procedure is designed to comply with state regulations and guidelines and assist management in carrying out their responsibilities regarding the accountability for university equipment, including:
Reporting of changes in equipment status
Temporary relocation of equipment
Tracking of fixed assets
Scope
Applies to all university departments and activities utilizing equipment purchased with state/grant funds, equipment furnished by sponsoring agencies through external contracts or grants with the university, or equipment donated to the university.
Purpose
Definitions
University Equipment
For purposes of this policy, university equipment is defined as non- consumable, movable items with a useful life of one year or more. Equipment items are used in normal departmental operations and are not for resale purposes. Equipment items are generally complete in themselves (i.e., do not become a component item and do not lose their identity).
Fixed Assets
For purposes of this policy, fixed assets are defined as those non-consumable university equipment items with a useful life of one year or more and a cost of $5,000 or more.
Fixed Asset Determinations
In determining whether equipment meets the fixed asset definition (i.e., cost exceeds $5,000):
For donated equipment items, the fair market value at the time of donation determines whether the item meets the fixed asset definition.
For other equipment items, the initial acquisition cost determines whether an item meets the fixed asset definition. The initial acquisition cost includes the total of the following, if all these costs are on the same initial order:
Purchase price of the equipment;
Reasonable and necessary expenses (such as shipping charges, tax, start-up or installation if applicable) to prepare the equipment for its intended use, and
Accessories and component parts (excluding software) for the equipment.
To meet the fixed asset definition, the total of these costs must equal at least $5,000.
Items with an initial acquisition cost of less than $5,000 are not defined as fixed assets, even when a subsequent addition or improvement to the equipment item causes the cost to exceed $5,000. Computer peripherals will not change the fixed asset acquisition cost either.
Accountability for University Equipment
The individual charged with budget and expenditure authority (hereafter called the Custodian) is responsible for the appropriate use, safeguarding, and tracking of all university equipment assigned to his/her respective department, whether or not the equipment meets the fixed asset definition.
Fixed Asset Tracking and Tagging
All university equipment meeting the fixed asset definition is tracked in the university’s computerized fixed asset system by the Fixed Assets Administrator. A UNCW fixed asset tag number is attached or assigned to such equipment for inventory and identification purposes. If equipment meeting the fixed assets definition is not tagged within a reasonable time after receipt, the owning department is responsible for notifying the Fixed Assets Administrator. Once items have been tagged, it is important not to remove, relocate, or damage fixed asset tags.
Equipment not meeting the fixed asset definition (i.e., cost is under $5,000) is not tracked in the university’s computerized fixed asset system and a fixed asset tag number is not attached or assigned to the equipment, even when a subsequent addition or improvement to the item causes the cost to exceed
$5,000. However, such equipment items are considered state property and the Custodian is responsible for this equipment which is subject to random selection for audit.
Receipt of Equipment as a Gift
All non-cash gifts to the university shall be coordinated with University Advancement prior to receipt in accordance with UNCW Policy 09.100 Organization and Administration of Fundraising. If university tracking of the gift is required, the Controller, in cooperation with the department receiving the gift, is responsible for establishing the fair market value of the gift for reporting purposes.
Grant Equipment
All purchases of equipment or changes in equipment status for grant funds must have prior approval from the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPARC). Grant equipment is monitored separately by SPARC in accordance with OSP Policy 09.002 Equipment Purchases on Contracts and Grants. Also note, all federal equipment must be transferred to the sponsoring federal agency at the end of the grant, unless sponsoring agency transfers title to UNCW.
Fixed Asset Inventory and Audit
Departments are required to perform a physical inventory of fixed assets on an annual basis. During the year, the Office of Internal Audit or the Fixed Assets Office (Fixed Assets) may perform random audits to ensure university compliance with state regulations.
Changes in Fixed Asset Listings
The Custodian is responsible for notifying Fixed Assets via a Movable Equipment form (See Related Links) whenever fixed asset items are transferred to another department or relocated so that fixed asset records may be appropriately adjusted. In addition, the Custodian is responsible for notifying Fixed Assets in accordance with the guidelines listed below when any equipment items are lost, stolen, or traded in.
Disposal of University Equipment Through Surplus Property
University equipment (including software media) that is no longer needed by a department cannot be thrown away or discarded. If not transferred directly to another university department, all university equipment regardless of cost must be sent to Surplus Property for disposal. A Disposal Request must be processed from the Surplus Property Management System via UBusiness to properly handle the disposal, whether or not the equipment has a fixed asset tag. (See IV.C Procedures-Computer Software below for additional information on the disposal of software.)
Lost or Stolen Equipment
The Authorized University Official is responsible for notifying University Police immediately if equipment is lost or stolen, whether or not the equipment has a fixed asset tag. In addition, for assets with a value of $5,000 or more, a Movable Equipment form (See Related Links) must be prepared and forwarded to Fixed Assets, with the police report attached. The Fixed Assets Administrator will report missing equipment to the Senior Officers. (See UNCW Policy 02.300 Reporting and Investigating Misuse or Theft of University Property for additional information concerning the theft of university property).
A list of all missing university equipment valued at $5,000 or more is circulated in conjunction with the annual physical inventory of fixed assets for two years. If any missing equipment is found, departments are responsible for notifying the Fixed Assets Administrator.
Missing fixed assets that are reported as lost or stolen remain on the department’s fixed asset inventory until the missing equipment list has been circulated with the annual physical inventory the second year. If not found at that time, the equipment is declared permanently lost and removed from the department’s fixed asset inventory.
Replacement or Trade-In of Equipment
When equipment items are returned to the vendor for repair or replacement, departments must handle such returns through Purchasing Services, in accordance with UNCW Policy AUX 4.20 Outgoing Departmental Shipments. Notification must also be conveyed to the Fixed Assets Administrator so proper adjustments may be entered into Banner.
When an equipment item is traded in, the department must notify Fixed Assets on a Movable Equipment form (See Related Links) if either the cost of the old item or the cost of the new item (including the trade-in allowance) meets the fixed asset threshold of $5,000 in order that the fixed asset records may be adjusted.
Temporary Loan or Relocation of Equipment
Departments are required to maintain a current record of any temporary relocation (using the Equipment Temporary Check-Out List (See Related Links) or comparable form whenever equipment is removed from the custody of the department or the employees to which the equipment is normally assigned, regardless of whether or not the equipment meets the fixed asset definition.
Equipment may be temporarily relocated with prior department head approval. Except for repairs, the temporary removal of equipment is authorized only for university departments, employees, or for members of the SGA (when SGA equipment is involved). Off-campus use should be for work on a university assignment.
Removal of university equipment for off-campus use without department head approval may result in the individual being prosecuted for misappropriation of state property and/or larceny. University equipment used off campus or loaned to another campus department or activity is subject to immediate return if requested by university officials, state auditors, or other state agencies.
Personal Use
Items purchased with university funds are the property of the state and are not intended for personal use.
Procedures
Purchase of University Equipment
Purchase equipment items in accordance with UNCW Policy 05.152 Procurement of Equipment, Supplies, and Services.
To facilitate university tracking of fixed assets, use the correct account code. To obtain the correct account code, refer to the Fixed Asset Account Codes List (see Related Links). For additional assistance in determining the appropriate account code, contact the Fixed Assets Administrator.
When requisitioning additional component parts (not replacement parts):
Accessories and component parts that are purchased on the same initial order as the equipment item may be included in the original cost of the equipment and charged to a 945XXX account code.
For component parts purchased on a subsequent order, note the original fixed asset tag number.
Contact the Fixed Assets Administrator for any additional questions or if assistance is needed in ascertaining which component items compose the equipment to be purchased and/or tagged.
Permanent Changes in Equipment Status
The listing provided by Fixed Assets is the official record of fixed assets for which the department's Authorized University Official is responsible.
When fixed asset items are permanently transferred to another department or relocated, or when any equipment items are lost, stolen, or traded in, prepare a Movable Equipment form (See Related Links) to notify the Fixed Assets Administrator so that appropriate records may be adjusted. Attach documentation as specified on the Movable Equipment form and submit to Fixed Assets.
If Moving Services is needed to move equipment to any location other than Surplus Property, also submit a Moving Services Request via the AiM system. A Moving Services Request is not needed when items are sent to Surplus Property.
Computer Software:
Software media is considered university equipment and, as such, cannot be thrown away or discarded. Departments may destroy software licenses when software is no longer needed but must send software media (diskettes, CDs, etc.) to Surplus Property for disposal, regardless of the cost of the software. Software sent to Surplus Property will be destroyed, rather than offered for transfer or sale.
Departments wishing to transfer a software package directly to another department must obtain necessary approvals, if applicable, from the manufacturer and record the transfer of ownership, as appropriate.
Annual Physical Inventory of Fixed Assets
Physical inventories are conducted for the University on an annual basis The Fixed Assets Administrator provides a fixed asset listing to each Authorized University Official, itemizing all fixed assets for which he/she is accountable.
The Authorized University Official conducts the physical inventory and records any changes on the listing as follows:
Additions (Attach relevant documentation).
Location changes within the responsible department.
Equipment transferred to the responsibility of another department and/or Authorized University Official (Attach a Movable Equipment form).
Equipment placed in surplus (Attach a Movable Equipment form or a printout of the online Disposal Request from the Surplus Property Management System via UBusiness).
Equipment trade-ins (Attach a photocopy of the Purchase Order and a Movable Equipment form).
Lost or stolen equipment (Attach a police report and a Movable Equipment form).
As directed by the required deadline, the Authorized University Official must sign and return the completed fixed asset listings to the Fixed Assets Administrator. The Fixed Assets Administrator will notify the appropriate Dean or Vice Chancellor of any delinquent listings. Delinquent listings remaining after the second request are referred to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs.