All public bodies are fussy about giving away kit to staff and students, and quite rightly. It is far too easy for a "piece of junk" (ie last year's PC) to be given away by an unscrupulous employee. Requiring that surplus is sold at auction or to a scrapper keeps people honest.
"Health and safety" is a UK myth, used by some as a defence for unpopular decisions and by others to attack public servants. Both attitudes should be treated with contempt.