\chapter{Buying Stuff}

Spending money isn't that hard. This describes the process. If you
have any confusion, don't hesitate to ask anyone in SIPB, or the
Treasurer in particular.

\section{Motion to buy stuff}

The protocol for deciding to buy stuff is simple:

\begin{enumerate}
\item Decide what to buy and why.
\item Convince people to vote for it at a meeting. For a small thing,
like a book, just show up at the meeting and make a motion. For a
larger thing, like a workstation, sending email to sipb-office
beforehand will give people a chance to think about it and make
counter-proposals.
\item Once the SIPB approves the purchase, you get to go buy it.
\end{enumerate}

Note: If a purchase is made without prior approval, that purchase will
be considered a personal purchase by the individual.

\section{Actually buying stuff}

There are several options for how to buy stuff.

\subsection{MIT E-Cat}

The MIT E-Cat, http://web.mit.edu/ecat/, is a collection of vendors
who can deal directly with the MIT billing system. You will need web
certs to look through their catalogs. Any officer should be able to
make a purchase for your through the E-Cat, just send mail with what to
buy, preferably with a product number.

\subsection{Buy It Yourself}

You can buy the item yourself, then file a receipt with the treasurer
and get a reimbursement check. This can take a while, but gets you
the item quickly.

If you buy the item yourself, be aware that MIT does not reimburse for
sales tax. You will want to give the vendor MIT's tax id number, which
you can get from the treasurer drawer and give to the vendor.

\subsection{Jane}

Jane Trull is an IS employee who is very helpful to SIPB. She can help
you deal with various vendors, when you don't understand how to get
them a PO or whatever. She can also buy things on an IS credit card,
which is sometimes convenient.

We need to be nice to Jane, because we aren't part of her main
responsibilities. It is best to go through the Treasurer when you
think that Jane is the best way to deal with a purchase.

\subsection{Quantum Books}

If you are buying a book, go get it at Quantum. Get our Quantum PO
number out of the Treasurers drawer. Tell them you have an MIT PO and
give the number. You will have to sign for it.

\subsection{Copytech}

SIPB is in the Copytech book. Our page number is 68, I think.

\section{Dealing With Something When It Arrives}

When something is delivered to the SIPB office, put the packing slip
in the treasurers drawer and send mail to the treasurer. Also try to
send mail to the person who ordered it, or to sipb-office in general.
