Who Can Buy from the Showcase?
U-M students, current U-M faculty and regular staff, Regents of the University and U-M emeritus faculty may purchase from the U-M Computer Showcase. Eligibility details are outlined below.
Departmental buyers please see our departmental ordering information.
Purchasing Guidelines for Individuals
- We will ask to see a valid U-M ID at the time of sale so we request that you bring yours with you.
- In purchasing from the Showcase, you are agreeing that the computer(s) you buy are for your personal use and not for the purpose of resale within two years from the date of purchase. Violators of this agreement may be subject to possible disciplinary action by the University of Michigan.
- If you are corresponding with us via e-mail, we ask that you do so using your "umich" e-mail account.
Purchasing Limits
- Limits by group or quantity: Some vendors require us to limit sales to a specific group (students only, for example) or limit the number of items we can sell to an individual. This is especially true of licensed software and computers. Rules vary by product and vendor so please ask for details. There are currently no limits on peripherals or supplies.
- Limits per year: Computer vendors limit the number of systems an individual may purchase each academic year. For Showcase accounting purposes, our year starts July 1 and ends the following June 30.
Maximum allowances on individual computer purchases per year:
- One Apple laptop and one PC laptop (Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba) per year
- One Apple desktop and one PC desktop (Dell) per year
- Additionally, one Mac Mini (in addition to an Apple laptop and/or desktop) and up to two Apple displays may be purchased each per year.
Eligibility Requirements
Students
- Degree-seeking U-M students may purchase from the Showcase provided they are registered for courses, entering, or returning for a future term. The official registration status required is known as "active in program," which means that a student is currently enrolled in classes, is enrolled for a future term (as with incoming students), or retaining active status between terms while pursuing a degree program.
- Students who have graduated may not purchase from the Showcase after their "active" status ends.
- Students from U-M Flint and Dearborn may purchase any product the Showcase sells with the exception of Microsoft licensed software, which must be purchased on the student's home campus.
Faculty and Staff
- Regular U-M faculty and staff may purchase from the Showcase during the term of their employment.
- Regents and emeritus faculty may purchase at any time.
- Faculty and staff from U-M Flint and Dearborn may purchase any product the Showcase sells with the exception of Microsoft licensed software, which must be purchased on the employee's home campus.
- Tenure track Medical School faculty who are employed at the VA Hospital may purchase equipment if they provide a memo stating tenure track status. Contact the Faculty and Staff Resources Office (763-0253) to obtain a memo.
- Temporary staff and visitors (including visiting scholars) are not eligible to purchase from the Computer Showcase.
Parents, Alumni and Guests
- Parents: Unfortunately, parents of students may not purchase directly from the Showcase. Please read more about how we are partnering with parents to make sure their students can purchase the products they need.
- Alumni and Guests: We regret that we cannot sell to alumni or guests of the University.