Laptop Frequently Asked Questions
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Laptop Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have a question that is not answered here, please email your question to helpdesk@centenarycollege.edu
- Who is going to get a laptop?
- When will we get the laptops?
- Do commuting students get laptops?
- What if I am a full time student student and not living on campus?
- Do we get to keep the laptop computers after graduation?
- What happens over breaks, do we hand the laptop in?
- How are grad students involved?
- Is there an option not to receive a laptop?
- What happens if you have your own laptop, can you use that?
- Why can’t I have a MAC? I’m a design major?
- Is the attendance policy going to change now that faculty might email their lectures to us?
- Do you think students (such as freshmen), are responsible enough to have a laptop?
- For commuters, do they still have access to the network?
- Can we install other programs?
- Can I bring the laptop to class?
- Will you be required to bring the laptop to class?
- How will the laptop change the way classes are taught?
- How will the helpdesk work?
- What are the hours of support service?
- How will my own laptop hook into the school’s system?
- Can you use the laptop to study abroad?
- Is the warranty only good during your 4 years here at school?
- Will there be a commuter lounge for these students to go to?
- What will stop me from IM'ing or downloading Porn in class?
- Is there a deduction in tuition if I already own a computer?
- Is the tech fee optional if I don’t want a computer?
- What is the relationship of the tuition increase to the laptop?
- What is the buy-out option for a December grad?
- How will the computers be insured?
- Can we sell the laptop?
- What if it is stolen, lost, or damaged?
- How much will the computers cost?
- Will a deposit or collateral be required?
- What are the upgrade capacities as the computers get older?
- Will it be the same laptop from year to year?
- Are the laptops going to be up to date?
- How are the computers being serviced?
- What brand will the laptops be?
- What model will the laptop be, what are it's specifications?
- What is the printer compatibility?
- What programs are on the computers?
- Will my own computer work with the wireless service?
- How quickly will repairs happen?
- Will the wireless network, and the Internet in general, be faster then the residence halls are now?
- Will a case or bag be provided with the laptop?
- Will there be equal service (internet) in all locations?
- Will wireless be available in all rooms on campus?
- Will the laptops have Photoshop and Graphic Design programs?
- What is the warranty of the laptop?
General Policy Questions
Usage Questions
- Who is going to get a laptop?
Everyone that is enrolled as a traditional full-time degree seeking student.
- When will we get the laptops?
The Laptop distribution schedule will be mailed to New students and posted on the Orientation website.
- Do commuting students get laptops?
Yes, all students who are enrolled full-time in one of our degree seeking programs will receive a laptop. Both resident students and commuting students will receive the same type of computer.
- What if I am a full time student student and not living on campus?
As long as you are enrolled as a full-time degree seeking student, then you will be able to keep your laptop unit until graduation. You may continue to use your laptop while student teaching or studying abroad.
- Do we get to keep the laptop computers after graduation?
The laptops are on lease and has to be returned.
- What happens over breaks, do we hand the laptop in?
Students will keep their laptop units during Christmas Break and Spring Break.
- How are grad students involved?
Grad students do not receive a laptop but can acquire a loaner unit.
- Is there an option not to receive a laptop?
All students will be required to use the laptop unit as an information organizer, as a research tool, as a communication tool, and as a learning tool to support their course work activities. Students will be required to use their college email accounts in order to receive access to important information and announcements. The College is moving in the direction of creating a non-stop shopping environment similar to other colleges across the country. This concept means that registration, billing, financial aid and other student related services may be accessed via the web for faster and more accurate processing.
- What happens if you have your own laptop, can you use that?
Students may bring their own laptop and use Centenary's network. - Why can’t I have a MAC? I’m a design major.
The College has a brand new, state-of-the-art MAC lab to support continued development of the Graphics Arts Program. This program will be enhanced to provide a dual platform learning environment in which the students learn to use the same programs on both a MAC and PC.
- Is the attendance policy going to change now that faculty might email their lectures to us?
Class policies will vary from professor to professor. These issues will be effected by one of three types of educational delivery formats: traditional (face-to-face only); blended (some face-to-face and some online materials); and online (no face-to-face, some video). - Do you think students (such as freshmen), are responsible enough to have a laptop?
Yes. We have great expectations that first year students will be as responsible with their laptop units as their upper class peers are.
- For commuters, do they still have access to the network?
Commuter students have access to the network while on campus. The College only provides internet access to residents living on campus grounds. Students living off campus will have to purchase their own internet provider services. This fee generally ranges from $20 to $100. Please contact the Technology Services Helpdesk for support and assistance.
Usage Questions - Can we install other programs?
Yes, you will have access to load software programs needed to support course work. The Technology Services Helpdesk will provide assistance with program installs.
- Can I bring the laptop to class?
Yes, you are strongly encouraged to take your laptop to class sessions. Talk with your professor about the various pedagogical learning methods that can be used to incorporate technology into the teaching and learning processes. During the upcoming semesters, many professors will be using the course management system called Educator to add web-based support materials for their courses. Please call the Technology Services Helpdesk if you need to obtain an Educator log-in account.
- Will you be required to bring the laptop to class?
Talk with your professor about laptop use within the classroom environment, as policies may vary.
- How will the laptop change the way classes are taught?
Our professors have integrated technology into the courses they are teaching. Many of our professors will be working together on team projects during the summer which will involve revising their courses to incorporate effective practices in supplementary web-based learning using the laptop as a communication tool.
- How will the helpdesk work?
The Technology Services Helpdesk will be the central hub for all activity related to the mobile laptop initiative. The helpdesk staff will respond to all requests within a 48 hour period. The Library also manages the loaner pool of laptop units for use by part-time students. The staff’s first priority will be to provide immediate assistance to professors and students while in class and outside of class.
- What are the hours of support service?
The Help Desk hours are 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. - How will my own laptop hook into the school’s system?
Yes, you may connect your own personal laptop to our campus network system. Please contact the Technology Services Department Helpdesk for assistance.
- Can you use it to study abroad?
Yes, special arrangements may be made to support study abroad programs. Contact the Technology Services Helpdesk for more information.
- Is the warranty only good during your 4 years here at school?
The warranty would cover the life cycle of the unit, per lease terms.
- Will there be a commuter lounge for these students to go to?
There is a commuter lounge on the 3rd floor of Ferry.
- What will stop me from IM'ing or downloading Porn in class?
Your professor.
Cost Questions
- Is there a deduction in tuition if I already own a computer?
No. All students must have access to the same set of tools and resources in order to maximize the impact of building a common communication platform. Professors and students must have access to a standardized set of tools in order to enhance the effectiveness of the learning processes that will be employed across disciplinary boundaries.
- Is the tech fee optional if I don’t want a computer?
The technology service fee is a required part of the educational experience at Centenary. This fee covers costs associated with providing new student-based network information services and wireless internet connectivity. Each laptop will have wireless internet functionality. This means that each space on campus becomes a “24 hour by 7 day a week “ connected learning space. This mobile computing environment supports our vision of anytime, anyplace student-centered learning.
- What is the relationship of the tuition increase to the laptop?
The tuition increase covers all of the quality program initiatives that are currently in progress as the college continues to move forward while undergoing a major academic reorganization. Academic programs are currently being redesigned in an effort to support our new vision of student-centered learning and unparalleled service.
- What is the buy-out option for a December grad?
There is not buy-out option since the laptops are leased. - How will the computers be insured?
The college has a policy and procedure in place. - Can we sell the laptop?
No, students can not sell their laptop. The College maintains ownership of the laptop units upon initial purchase.
- What if it is stolen, lost, or damaged?
Students will be ultimately liable for the computer. \The payment of $250.00 is charged for the damaged laptops. However, students are responsible for the deductible payment and the cost of a laptop if it is stolen.
- How much will the computers cost?
Our estimated budget is for $1,000 per unit. The fleet model approach provides quantity discounts that students would otherwise not be able to get. Thus, we can obtain access to a higher functioning unit for a significantly lower price.
- Will a deposit or collateral be required?
(Topic under discussion.) - What are the upgrade capacities as the computers get older?
The fleet model of purchasing computers in bulk quantity significantly reduces the total cost of ownership. The computers will be replaced on a two year renewal fleet cycle.
- Will it be the same laptop from year to year?
The laptop fleet will be replaced once every two years. Due to significant technological advances that take place from year to year, the specific fleet models purchased will vary.
- Are the laptops going to be up to date?
Yes, the laptop units will be continually updated. The units will be renewed once every two years.
- How are the computers being serviced?
the in-house Help Desk services the laptop and also mails it to the service depot if it cannot be fixed in 48 hours.
- What brand will the laptops be?
After soliciting a number of top tier manufacturers, IBM has been selected as the vendor who can best meet student needs at Centenary.
- What model will the laptop be, what are it's specifications?
ThinkPad R400
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.26GHz
1GB PC3-8500 SDRAM(1dimms)
14.1 TFT Display WXGA with Integrated webcam
160GB HD with active protection system
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
CDRW/DVD ROM Combo Drive
Integrated Intel 5100 AGN Wireless
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Integrated 1394 Firewire
3 USB 2.0 ports
Express card slot & media card reader
Dual track point and pointing device
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Windows XP
Office 2007
3 year Warranty - What is the printer compatibility?
The College will no longer provide individual printers for use in student dorm rooms. Students may use their own personal printer with their laptop computer. Please contact the Technology Services Helpdesk for support in loading printer drivers. Centralized printing will be available at the Library and at the HUB in the Seay Building. - What programs are on the computers?
Software included: Windows XP and Office 2007.
- Will my own computer work with the wireless service?
Yes, your own computer will work with our wireless service. Please contact the Technology Services Department Helpdesk for assistance.
- How quickly will repairs happen?
It depends on the problem that is identified. A 48 hour time frame is in place currently.
- Will the wireless network, and the Internet in general, be faster then the residence halls are now?
The wireless service on campus is uniform. - Will a case or bag be provided with the laptop?
Yes. Students will receive a canvas computer bag as part of their laptop bundle.
- Will there be equal service (internet) in all locations?
The wireless service on the whole campus is uniform. - Will wireless be available in all rooms on campus?
Yes. Our campus is completely wireless, all rooms, all spaces.
- Will the laptops have Photoshop and Graphic Design programs?
Students requiring specific software is responsible for purchasing it. - What is the warranty of the laptop?
The warranty contract serves the entire life cycle of the unit (2 years).
Technical Questions
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