Frequently Asked Questions
Why does LTU require laptops for their students?
What does LTU put into the laptop program?
How many images does the University support?
What does the LTU campus technology initiative provide to students?
When do students receive their laptops?
What are Optional Accessories students can purchase?
Can students use thier own laptops or purchase their own?
How can the laptop deposit be paid?
Can laptop deposits roll over each year?
Do I have to sign an additional agreement if I take summer classes?
What am I responsible for when I have the laptop?
Where can a student go to get updated information on the laptop program?
What if a student does not return the laptop in timely manner?
What happens to students account when they return the laptop?
Can students keep a laptop for the summer if they are not taking classes at LTU?
Are Graduate and Doctoral students required to have laptops?
All undergraduate students pursuing degrees at LTU will receive a laptop each academic year. An academic year consists of fall and spring semesters.
Why does LTU require laptops for their students?
The use of the laptop in and outside of the classroom is a substantial part of Lawrence Technological University's educational mission. LTU launched the laptop initiative in the fall of 2000. It is a dynamic program to assure that LTU students are well prepared and positioned to take full advantage of advanced learning opportunities, greater access to educational resources, and ultimately, achieve a competitive edge in the workplace.
What does LTU put into the laptop program?
The laptop initiative represents more than the computers themselves – the University continues to expend considerable resources on staff training and service infrastructure. The university has made considerable improvements to campus facilities and services including the campus wireless connection, additional Blackboard capabilities and Banner Web for students.
How many images does the University support?
Each year all four colleges review software that their faculty is considering using within their courses. The software is specific to the student’s major. Four images are maintained and updated each academic year based on course and software development
What does the LTU campus technology initiative provide to students?
The following is a list of what each student receives when they pick up their laptops:
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Assignment of the LTU laptop
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Access to pre-loaded University software
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Access to Blackboard, the University’s Course Management Software
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Access to the University network
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Laptop direct integration into many classes, including classroom connections with access to Internet, ports or wireless connectivity around campus
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Access to the University Help Desk
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Access to the Banner Web System for students
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Insurance coverage theft for damage with a $500 deductible
When do students receive their Laptops?
All undergraduate students receive their laptops during the month of August prior to each fall semester. The student must pay a $500 security deposit and sign an online laptop agreement prior to or at the time of laptop pick up. If the student is under eighteen years of age, the parent or guardian must sign the laptop agreement on behalf of the student. If under 18, when attempting to sign the laptop agreement, the student will be prompted to print the agreement, and have a parent or legal guardian sign it on his or her behalf.
What are Optional Accessories students can purchase?
Compatible peripheral accessories are available for purchase from the vendor(s). They include such items as a port replicator, extra battery packs, DVD drive, memory expansion, upgraded disk drive, external speakers, a headset/microphone, desk monitors, keyboards, and mice. Such accessories are the sole property of the purchaser and are not covered by LTU's insurance. Peripheral accessories do not qualify for LTU Help Desk repair or exchange.
Can students use their own laptops or purchase their own?
Students can use their own laptops or purchase their own outside of the university. It does not reduce student’s tuition and fees. With owned laptops, students also become wholly responsible for acquiring all required software and with keeping their laptop and its software current with University standards that have rapidly advanced to keep pace with new hardware and software developments. These students are also responsible for their own insurance coverage. Similarly, due to hardware differences, the Help Desk is unable to provide problem resolution or software assistance. Also the repair and exchange privileges and other services available through the Help Desk for LTU laptops are not available for personally owned machines.
The University cannot supply other required software with purchased machines as is supplied with assigned machines because of software license restrictions. Therefore, obtaining the additional required software for purchased laptops is the responsibility of the owner. Additional required software will be necessary for connection to the University network and for enrollment in specific classes, and owners may find it necessary to change or upgrade software over time as University standards advance.
Also be aware that assigned LTU laptop computers will be replaced or renewed about every two years in order to remain current with the rapidly advancing technology. Upgrades of purchased machines, if feasible, will be the sole responsibility of the owner and will periodically be necessary and required to maintain connection ability. Insurance coverage for owned machines is also the responsibility of the owner. Help Desk services for purchased machines are limited. Purchase of your own LTU TechBook computer does not reduce your tuition and fees.
How can the laptop deposit be paid?
The $500 deposit can be paid by check, money order, cash, credit card or, if applicable, with financial aid. The deposit will be returned if the laptop is returned in good condition at the end of the academic year. If the laptop is damaged, the deposit will be kept. The cost of repairing the damages will be assessed against the deposit, and the funds that remain will be credited to the student’s account to be refunded and/or applied to any outstanding balances.
Can Laptop deposits roll over each year?
When a student turns in his or her laptop prior to leaving for the summer, they can instruct the Business Services Department to roll their deposit over for the next year. The funds will be held in a holding account and then disbursed for the following academic year.
Do I have to sign an additional agreement if I take summer classes?
Laptop agreements are valid for one year. If you are taking summer classes, please check with the Help Desk in C203 to ensure you have a current agreement on file. If your agreement is not current, you will be contacted to return your laptop or pay for non-return of the laptop as stated in your agreement.
What am I responsible for when I have the laptop?
All students are responsible for picking up the laptop the beginning of each academic year. All students are responsible for keeping the laptop clean, keeping the laptop in good condition, keeping the laptop in their posession and in a secure place, and returning the laptop to the Help Desk during the posted return dates.
Where can a student go to get updated information on the laptop program?
All students are responsible for viewing the LTU website, reading their LTU email, and viewing updates on the Blackboard system throughout the academic year. The Help Desk staff, as well as the Provost's Office, will post periodic updates on the laptop program during the academic year.
What if a student does not return the laptop in timely manner?
All students are required to return their laptop during the return period which is always specified on the LTU website, through Blackboard announcements, through LTU email and throughout all LTU buildings on posters one month prior to classes ending each May. The LTU agreement which all students sign specifies that if students do not return their laptop within the designated return period (or immediately upon termination of the agreement) a penalty of $20 per day will be assessed to their student accounts.
What happens to a students account when they return the laptop?
When students return their laptops to the Help Desk, the Help Desk staff will notify the Business Services Office, and a credit of the deposit less any damages will be posted to your student account. Students can receive a check, and it will be mailed to their home.
Can students keep a laptop for the summer if they are not taking classes at LTU?
No. For the 2007 year, all students and faculty are required to return the laptops, as we are refreshing our software image, retiring some laptops from our inventory, and bringing on board a number of new laptops with different hardware and software configurations. Laptops must be returned by May 11 for students not taking summer courses, and May 17 for faculty members. If registered for summer or teaching summer courses, laptops may be returned July 26 without penalty.
Are Graduate and Doctoral students required to have laptops?
Doctoral and graduate students are not included in the laptop program and are generally not required to use a laptop. At this time, laptops are not available for graduate students except under special circumstances. In the event an exception is made, graduate students are subject to the same terms and policies as undergraduate students. Graduate students must pay a $500 security deposit, sign a laptop agreement, and turn in their laptops by the posted dates (or incur late charges of $20 for each day the computer is not returned). A laptop usage fee will be assessed to their accounts when they register for the laptop program. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the laptop fee for doctoral and graduate students is $95 per credit hour.