Pilot program to fund computer checkout system
Your brother’s old computer just broke, the computer labs are full and all you need to finish your Powerpoint presentation is a quiet environment and a brand new laptop.
Soon Student Government and the Office of Computing Services will offer students the opportunity to check out computer equipment through the “Tech Check Out” pilot program.
Each year, the Student Technology Fee Committee decides how and where to spend the $75 Student Technology Fee. Next year, the committee agreed to fund a technology checkout system through Middleton Library.
“As we grow so much with technology, it’s a good idea to explore new ways for students to have access to technology on campus,” said SG President Patrick McCune.
The Tech Check Out project places 12 laptops with wireless Internet connections and adds 25 wireless Internet laptop cards to the University’s network inside Middleton.
“If you are a graduate student, you can check out a laptop and sit in a cubical to study,” said Joel Williams, a Computing Services application consultant.
The Internet cards are the same cards already available to students in the Union, and the laptops will be high-end computers with all of the software available to students in the library, Williams said.
Many other schools, such as Southeastern Louisiana University and Drexel University in Philadelphia, already have similar programs, McCune said.
Like checking out a book, Middleton will allow any student to check out the equipment. It will hold students responsible by charging fee bills for any late fees or damage to the equipment, he said.
“It’s not at all that different than checking out a book, and we do think we can handle it,” said Nancy Colyar, assistant dean for Automation and Systems. “We think it’s a great thing to be able to allow students to take a laptop without having to stay in one spot.”
The Technology Fee Committee wanted to implement the pilot program with a small group of computers and work out the security issues before pursuing a more aggressive project, Williams said.
“If this project works and if we have positive response from students, then next year, and in the years to come, we envision an expansion,” he said.
McCune hopes the Tech Check Out program will expand to allow organizations and students with faculty permission to check-out computer accessories such as digital cameras and scanners.
“In a perfect world, it would be a system where anyone can check-out and use anything at home,” McCune said. “But we still have to deal with insurance issues.”
The committee plans to evaluate the pilot and make suggestions about its future after a year, McCune said.
“Certainly we are excited, and as more devices become wireless, we will have more opportunities for students to connect to the University from these devices,” Williams said.
Several students said they were excited about the possibilities the project could offer.
“I think it’s a great idea because it gives people a lot more access to do stuff,” said Lauren Powell, a mass communication sophomore.
It should work if the necessary precautions and rules are set, Powell said.
However, several other students said they think the project could be risky.
“It will be good if it works the way they want it to,” said Rebecca Ferris, an undecided sophomore. “But, I’ve seen people mess up laptops.”
Still others said they think the library already has enough computers.
“There are a lot of computer labs on campus that don’t get utilized and most students don’t know where their tech fee money is going,” said Chris Meyer, an English senior. “Before they decide to expand further, I think they should give students greater knowledge of what’s here already.”
Tech Check Out also could give the University another excuse to raise fees, Meyer said.
“No student wants to pay more money,” he said.
However, Williams assures students the project would not increase the Student Technology Fee.
“It draws from the existing funds,” Williams said. “Increasing the fee is not an issue.”
Tracy Simoneaux