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By
Bill Rains
| Want
a laptop computer? Don’t start reading the classifieds;
don’t drive to the store, don’t even call your parents.
The university now offers two pilot programs that loan out Apple
laptops to eligible students. |
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The
Student Technology Center, in conjunction with the Office of Academic
Enhancement, started the first Laptop Loan Program last year. Then,
only pre-major advising students could apply for a free laptop to
use for the duration of the year. The new program is open to all
university students in good standing (2.0 GPA or higher) and is
based on financial need and the number of computers available.
The
idea for the program came from Linda Dobb, the university’s
executive vice president. “We were thinking of different ways
to attract and retain economically disadvantaged students,”
she said. “We wanted to find if having a computer would help
them stay in school. Expectations to be computer literate are so
high.”
The
Laptop Loan Program is funded by money granted from the state as
part of the Success Challenge program. Dobb said the main goal of
Success Challenge is to ensure university students graduate in four
years. The university put $200,000 into buying about 175 laptops.
Each one, Dobb said, cost about $1,300.
“The
same computers are used for both programs,” said Paul Cesarini,
manager of the Student Technology Center. “They’re all
iBooks. We got a really good deal.”
“The
price was right and we thought the students would be attracted to
them,” Dobb said.
Lisa
McHugh, director of academic enhancement, said the feedback she
has received about the program has been positive. “A lot of
students couldn’t believe it was true,” she said. “They
didn’t think the university would give them a free computer.”
Cesarini
said around 175 laptops are being used by students in both the programs
and another 20 are being used in high traffic areas including the
Study Skills Lab, the Jerome Library, Disability Services and the
Writers Lab.
When
issued the laptops, students can use them as they wish. Many use
the laptops for word processing and searching online for class work
as well as entertainment. Student can install any software programs
on their laptops and even use it to download MP3’s.
“I
use it mostly for papers,” said Natasha Newberry, a sophomore
in the program. “I think having the laptop has helped my grades.
It helps me to get things done quicker and I don’t have to
go a computer lab and wait.” Newberry has had her laptop for
two academic years.
With the limited number of laptops, however, not all students who
apply get an iBook. Senior Annie Rakel said she was told she was
not approved for a computer because her parents made too much money.
“It was like the university was saying ‘your parents have
enough money so they should buy you one,’ “ she said.
“If
we could, we would offer it to everyone,” Dobb said.
The
Student Technology Center offers a variety of services to students
with laptops including maintenance and technical support. When students
return their laptop at the end of the year, a Restore CD is used
to remove any extra installed software and bring the laptop back
to the state when it was issued. STC also offers workshops and tutorials
not only those with the laptops but to all university students with
computers.
Newberry
said that so far she hasn’t had any trouble with her computer.
“I
haven’t had any technical glitches,” she said.
As
long as students keep at least a 2.0 GPA, they can renew the laptop
each year. At graduation, the student also has the option of buying
the laptop.
While
the program appears to be a success, the future of it is uncertain.
Dobb said she is not sure if the university will continue to get
Success Challenge money.
“We’re
getting money for two or three years. The laptops we have now will
continue to be loaned out,” she said. “We may not be able
to continue to keep upgrading them.”
While
many credit Linda Dobb for the idea of the program, Dobb said it
was Cesarini and McHugh who made it happen.
“I
would really like to commend Paul,” Dobb said. “I really
want to urge all students to visit the STC in the library and stay
on top of what’s happening.
“I’m
glad to offer the service,” Cesarini said. “Any laptop
I have here in the office is a laptop that isn’t in someone’s
hands.”
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Applying
for a free laptop
Here’s
how to make sure you’re in the running:
1)
Go to www.bgsu.edu/offices/studenttech/laptop/
Read the page and scroll down until you find the Laptop
Loan Application contract. The appli cation asks some general
questions and also requires you to write a paragraph or
two about why you want the laptop.
2)
Download the application file and fill it out. Be sure to
read the other links such as the Frequently Asked Questions
the Laptop Policies, as they will have the most current,
up-to-date information about the program.
3)
Send the application. The address is specified on the page.
Good
Luck!
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