“The computer store is not being closed down,” said Chauncey Jackson, computing operations and network services associate vice provost.

He said the only change the center will undergo is that it will no longer build personal computers for university departments.

Jackson said the center will continue to offer its other services.

Students still will be able to get discounts on Microsoft software and order computers through Apple’s or Compaq’s Internet site through the center.

Jackson speculates the rumors began because the center stopped building personal computers.

“I don’t have any suspicions about anything or anyone,” he said. “My primary concern is the people that work in the store and their well-being.”

Jackson said although the center is no longer building personal computers, the Office of 

Information Technology will still repair computer problems for departments. 

Jackson said the office is undergoing changes requested by other university officials. The office received a memo from a university finance official Feb. 17, ordering the center to cease building computers. Jackson said the university is moving towards getting outside companies to provide this service. University employees can order computers through procurement services, which will allow them to get the best deal on products, he said.

“We’re in a transition,” Jackson said. “We’re phasing out the building of computers.”

Jackson said he will meet with university officials to see how the office will handle the change in services.

Scott Hudson, Maverick Computer Center manager, said the center is now in the process of selling its computer inventory.

“We are placing no more orders from departments,” he said. “They now have to go to Procurement Services.”

Jackson said the change should have little effect on sales. 
“The hope is that — costwise — we’ll do equal or better,” he said.

Dan Risik, Procurement Services assistant controller, said that even before the center quit building computers for departments, Procurement Services has processed many computer purchasing requests.

Risik said he believes the extra work load shouldn’t be a problem for Procurement Services.

“I think we can very easily handle it with the resources that we have,” he said. 

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