7.01 Accountability and Use of Cellular Phones and Pagers

Cellular phones and pagers provide an efficient and effective means of communicating enabling the accomplishment of daily activities in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. However, personnel must be aware that cellular phones and pagers are costly and their procurement and use must be clearly justified. Before requesting a cellular phone or pager, the user must ascertain that the use of such service will save money or at least not cost additional funds in carrying out ones assigned duties and responsibilities.

Request to Obtain a Cellular Phone

Evaluation and justification to obtain a cellular phone must be provided in complying with the "UGA Request for Approval of Cellular Service Form." This form should be completed in full. Details regarding completion of this form may be found in the UGA Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual - Finance and Administration 33.1. In completing the justification section of this form, consult the list of potential reasons for cellular phone usage. However, it is imperative that the person requesting cellular phone use provide additional justification in addition to the code function. The request for cellular phone usage must be approved by the department head, district head, or unit coordinator before being routed to the appropriate associate dean and dean and director. It will be the responsibility of the dean and director to then forward to the next level of administration. While the University does not require formal approval for the purchase and use of pagers, it is important that administration at all levels review requests carefully before approving expenditures for these purposes.

Selection of Cellular Phone Service

When choosing a cellular phone service, the user should consider the type of usage that will be most effective and select the package that best meets those needs. Each individual user is encouraged to review annually cellular phone packages to ascertain that the best buy is still being utilized.

Personal Use of Cellular Phones

Since local cellular phone service is based on a per minute rate and there is no provision to charge a toll free call to a personal credit card, personal calls should not be made on cellular phones for which billings are sent directly to the University by the telephone carrier.

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