Finance Division

Purchasing Services is the focal point of supply management for the University, with responsibility for the procurement of goods and services in excess of $350 million annually. Through various types of procurement activity like e-commerce, purchasing card program, and purchase order transactions, our goal and number one priority is to support the customer. Development of the supply chain in partnership with our vendors promotes and provides the best quality of products for our customers.

A significant portion of University dollars spent through Purchasing Services is processed through actively managed supplier customer relationships. We divide commodities into two groups - major acquisitions and information technology. The major acquisitions group procures research equipment, supplies, dental, chemicals, office supplies, furniture, janitorial, athletic equipment, remanufactured toner cartridge, radioactive materials, and facilities equipment. The information technology group has responsibility for the procurement of computer software and hardware, printers, software maintenance, telecommunications, and computer related equipment. We work collaboratively with our campus customers to ensure the optimum product and service level is achieved. We utilize cutting edge e-Business technology, supply chain strategies, contract management, and cost initiatives by utilizing collaborative purchasing relationships with our key suppliers to leverage the University’s buying power.

We provide an effective and well-managed procurement card program that allows the customer the ability to purchase items up to $5000 as a way to streamline the procurement.

Purchasing Services has also expanded in other areas of procurement with the development and launch of a dynamic consortium program to collaborate with peer Universities to leverage the buying power for research equipment and supplies. It continues to embrace and manage the HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses) program that is now supported under the new initiative of Supplier Diversity; a program that includes minority, women owned, disadvantage, and small business entrepreneurship.

Purchasing Services values social responsibility. We support sustainable purchasing to ensure compliance for a safe and healthy economy in support of the University’s sustainability program.

We strive to maintain the most efficient operation while adhering to the requirements of University, state, and federal laws, rules, policy and procedures. It is our objective to serve our customers effectively and timely in support of University goals.