Why did St. John's start its Laptop
Program?
As technology becomes more pervasive, it is ever more critical to
make the latest tools available to the student community. By making
laptops available to every incoming freshman and transfer student
as of Fall 2004, everyone is assured equal access to
technology.
Who is eligible to receive a
laptop?
All incoming, full-time freshmen and full-time transfer students
will receive a wireless laptop.
What kind of laptop is it?
The laptop that students receive is a Lenovo© ThinkPad.
When and how do I receive the
laptop?
All incoming students will receive their laptop during their
Orientation session.
What if I've never used a laptop
computer?
There will be mobile computing orientation programs conducted over
the summer during laptop distribution.
What if I already own a
laptop?
Because laptops other than those issued by St. John's will not be
eligible for extensive hardware and software support, it is
mandatory that all incoming full-time freshmen and full-time
undergraduate transfer students participate in our Laptop Program.
All laptops will be preloaded with software and set to St. John's
network specifications for use within a secured
infrastructure
What kind of software will be loaded onto
the laptop?
The PC will be running Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating
system, Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise, a virus scanning and
prevention utility, and an Internet browser. There are computer
labs on campus that offer access to a wide variety of other
academic software programs. Students who require the flexibility of
having discipline-specific software on their laptops can purchase
and install individual copies.
Will the University update the
software?
Yes, as appropriate. Much of the software on the laptops, including
computer virus protection, will be updated automatically through
periodic checks with a master server. The University also will
download other upgrades as needed.
Is the data protected?
Although laptops are highly reliable, we must plan for the
possibility of machine failure or data corruption. If a machine is
damaged, the University can re-load the software that we issued
with the laptop. Laptop recipients are responsible to make frequent
backups of personal data, documents, and other work products. The
University will provide instruction regarding how to make
backups. However, the University is not responsible for
recovering any unsaved data that is lost.
How is the laptop serviced? How do I get
help?
The University offers a Help Desk service for basic "how-to"
problems. More complex problems that do not result from negligence
or carelessness are covered under a four-year warranty. There is a
walk-in repair center on campus, in Sullivan Hall in Queens and
DaSilva Hall in Staten Island. If a laptop can't be repaired in a
reasonable amount of time, a loaner laptop may be made
available.
How does the laptop connect to the
university?
A wireless, campus-wide LAN has been installed. Wireless access is
now available from all common areas and cafeterias, the Library,
and the Great Lawn, as well as all academic buildings. Currently,
there are ethernet port connections in classrooms, some dining
halls, various lounges, including the Honors Commons. There
are also separate connections available for students in our
state-of-the-art residence halls.
Will I have to pay for an Internet
connection?
No fee is required. While on campus, wireless internet
connection is available for all students. Service is
available on all campuses, including Staten Island, Manhattan,
Oakdale, and Rome.
Are laptops the only computers on
campus?
No. There are a number of computer labs on campus open to students.
There are printers available for student use in the computer labs
as well. In addition, there are printers dedicated to wireless
network users. On the Queens and Staten Island campuses, you can
press the "print" button while working on the Great Lawn and pick
up your document in the Library or Microlabs.
Will all courses require a
laptop?
The choice of the best combination of textbooks, computer software,
and other tools is made by the faculty on a course-by-course basis.
We expect that technology will become ever more pervasive in the
instructional environment as it is in other aspects of life. In any
event, students can use laptops to keep notes, exchange and update
notes with classmates and keep an electronic record of their
academic adventure.
Who owns the laptop? Do I get to keep
it?
Although the laptop is assigned to the participant full-time
including weekends and breaks, it remains the property of St.
John's University. Upon completion of a four-year degree
program, ownership of the laptop is transferred to the
student. Once a student is no longer registered for
classes, the laptop must be returned to the University. This
includes students who are taking a semester off, and those who are
leaving the University prior to graduation.
Can students other than incoming freshmen
and transfer students buy laptops under this program?
Yes. Although laptops are issued only to incoming, full-time
freshmen and (as of Fall 2004) full-time transfer students, the
University is pleased to make its volume discounts available to all
students, including undergrad students who are not registered
full-time, and those enrolled in graduate-level courses.