LAPTOP
COMPUTER PROGRAM
Effective for 2007 - 2008 Academic Year
1.0
LAPTOP PROGRAMS REQUIREMENTS
1.1
Laptop
computers are required for students enrolled in the following programs:
1.1.1
Multimedia & Web Design Technology
1.1.2
Computer Systems Technology
1.1.3
Computer Aided Drafting and Design
1.1.4
Marketing and Design
1.2
Exception to the requirement for laptops: Part-time students
taking courses in the programs listed above who meet all of the
following conditions are not required to have a laptop computer.
1.2.1
The student
is registered for no more than two classes (up to 6 credits) in a laptop
program for the semester.
1.2.2
The student
has received written permission from the instructor to participate in the
class without a laptop based on the student’s ability to access necessary
software and computer hardware needed for the course.
1.2.3
The student
has submitted a laptop waiver request form and received approval from the
appropriate administrator.
1.3
Students may
(1) lease a laptop through the college, or (2) choose to use their own laptop
that meets minimum specifications and is approved for use in the course. In making the decision of which option is
best for their situation, students should consider the following:
1.3.1
Laptops
leased through the college will be furnished with software used for required
courses.
1.3.2
The college
will provide IT support for leased laptops.
1.3.3
Students
who use their own laptop are responsible for all software, hardware, service,
and maintenance.
1.3.4
The
college will not provide support for student owned laptops.
1.4
Laptop Specs: The
new laptop specs for FY08 are as follows.
Student laptops are expected to meet these minimum requirements:
1.4.1
EM741AV Product - HP Compaq nc8430
Notebook PC RN888AV#ABA
1.4.2
Operating system - Genuine Windows Vista®
Business
1.4.3
Processor - Intel® Core™2 Duo processor
T7200 (2.00-GHz, 667-MHz FSB, 4-MB
L2 Cache)
1.4.4
Memory - 2048MB 667MHz DDR2 (2 DIMM)
1.4.5
Hard drives - 100GB hard drive (7200 rpm)
1.4.6
Display - 15.4-inch WSXGA+ wide-viewing
angle
1.4.7
Optical drive - DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
1.4.8
Modem - 56K high speed modem
1.4.9
Network card - 10/100/1000 NIC
1.4.10
Battery - 8 Cell 68WHr Primary Battery
1.4.11
Keyboard - Keyboard with Enhanced Dual
Pointing
1.4.12
Wireless hardware - Broadcom 802.11 a/b/g US
1.4.13
Integrated Bluetooth Module
1.4.14
Security - Embedded TPM 1.2 security chip, Biometric Fingerprint Reader
1.4.15
Warranty - 3/3/0 Year World-Wide Limited
Warranty
1.5
Students who
intend to use their own laptop must complete a laptop waiver request form to
insure their hardware and software meet the course requirements.
2.0 LEASE AGREEMENTS
2.1 Students
who choose to lease a laptop from the college must complete the lease
application at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester to assure a
laptop is available for them.
2.2 The cost to lease a laptop will be as
follows:
Option
1: $425.00 for each semester (fall or spring) and $200.00 for summer term. The duration of the lease agreement is one
semester, beginning on the signing date, and ending at
Option
2: $1,700.00 one time lease payment for the period of four semesters. Students must be registered for classes each
semester during this lease period.
2.2 Students will be billed for the semester
laptop lease when they register for courses in the programs that require laptop
computers.
2.3 A
laptop lease agreement must be completed, signed and submitted to the Business
Office. The Business Office will verify
the lease amount and form of payment. This verification is required before students
receive a leased laptop.
2.4 Automatic
Renewal: The duration of the
standard (Option 1) lease agreement is one semester. However, providing academic eligibility is
maintained and the student is registered for spring semester classes prior to
the last day of fall semester, laptop leases beginning fall semester 2007 will
automatically be renewed for spring semester 2008, unless the student returns
the computer equipment by 3:00 p.m. on
the last class day of fall semester.
2.6 Late Fees: A late fee of $10.00 per day will be charged
to the student for up to 14 calendar days, if the laptop is not returned by
3.0 ORIENTATION SESSIONS FOR THE LAPTOP
COMPUTER
3.1 Laptop orientation session, held within
each department, is required for all new students participating in the laptop
program. These sessions are designed to provide basic skills to begin using the
units and to review the terms and conditions of the lease agreement. Dates and times are posted in those
departments.
4.0 DISTRIBUTION OF LAPTOPS
4.1 The leased
laptops available to students will include new and previously leased units. As much as possible, assuming availability,
distribution priority will be as follows:
4.1.1 Students signing a four semester lease will
receive a new unit (assuming availability).
4.1.2 New students will receive a new unit
(assuming availability).
4.1.3 Returning students will receive the model
they had the previous year. If
available, these students will receive the same unit as leased the previous
semester.
4.2 Laptops will be distributed from the
computer services department. Each
student must present an ID (e.g., a picture ID, such as a driver's license,
etc.), signed lease forms and record of lease payment, before he or she will
receive a laptop.
5.0 SOFTWARE
5.1 Each computer has pre‑configured
software. Additional software may be installed
only according to software license agreements.
Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and a violation of
6.0 COMPUTER USE
6.1 The Ridgewater College policy “Student
Use of College Computers and Networks” (located in the student handbook) and
the MnSCU Acceptable Use of Computers and Information Technology Resources
located at http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/522p1.html
explain the policies that the students are expected to honor when using
a computer at