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Physical Phone Eligibility
A physical desk phone should be issued when one or more of the following conditions are met:
1. Safety & Emergency Requirements
- The position is designated as a building emergency coordinator
- The location requires a visible, hardwired emergency contact point (labs, classrooms, common areas)
2. Role & Job Function
- The position is a full-time receptionist, front desk, or operator role with high daily call volume
- The role requires a published direct-dial number tied to a specific desk or location (e.g., Registrar, Bursar, Financial Aid)
3. Work Environment & Location
- The employee does not have a dedicated workstation or personal computer
- The workspace is shared, such as a lab, classroom, or common office area
4. Accessibility & Accommodation
- The employee has a documented accommodation requiring physical phone hardware (e.g., hearing aid compatibility, amplified handset)
5. Operational & Technical Need
- The position supports a call center or service desk function requiring dedicated hardware
Decision Guideline If none of the above criteria are met, the default assignment should be a softphone. Requests that do not meet the criteria should be escalated to OIT for review and approval. If you have any questions about Zoom Phones or receiving a desk phone, please call the Technology Service Center at 610-660-2920.