General FAQ

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?
For the 2006-2007 academic year, all incoming, full-time freshmen and transfer students will receive a wireless laptop.

What kind of laptop is it?
During the 2006-07 academic year, the laptop students receive is an IBM ThinkPad R Series.   

• IBM ThinkPad R Series

1. Intel Centrino processor
2. Wireless and Wired
3. 40 GB Hard Drive
4. 14" screen
5. CD Burner/DVD Player
6. 6 Hours of battery life
7. Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Office Professional
8. Virus Protection
9. Security cable and backpack

When and how do I receive the laptop?
Incoming students who have made their deposits to and intend to enroll at St. John's for the Fall 2006 semester will be contacted with all the details in Spring 2006.

To receive your laptop you only need do the following:

• Be a full-time freshman or transfer student
• Satisfy your financial obligations to the University
• Make sure you have your St. John's ID card (Storm Card)

We will distribute laptops just before the start of the Fall semester. This year resident students have two options for receiving their laptop, they are welcome to make distribution appointments with commuters online or Shortly after moving into their rooms, residential students will come as a group to the distribution center at a pre-appointed time. Over the summer, commuter students will have a chance to make an appointment to receive their laptop.

What if I've never used a laptop computer?
There will be mobile computing orientation programs conducted over the summer and on distribution day.

What if I already own a laptop?
Because laptops other than those issued by St. John's will not be eligible for extensive hardware support, it is mandatory that all incoming freshmen and 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 2003 Professional, 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. Necessary upgrades will be installed during a pre-semester laptop check-in; 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.

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 will 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 both wireless and Internet port connections in classrooms, some dining halls, and various lounges, including the Honors Commons, along with separate connections for students in our state-of-the-art residence halls.

Will I have to pay for an Internet connection?
St. John's University Internet service is available to all students, while on campus, through the St. John's University infrastructure. No other fee is required . . . but hey, don't spend all your time IM'ing your friends!  There's a whole world of academic information at your fingertips . . . use it to expand your educational and academic horizons.

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 campus, you can press the "print" button while working on the Great Lawn and pick up your document in the Library.

Instructions for Wireless Printing at Campus Printer Centers (PDF)

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. Just think of how easy it will be to find the notes using the search functions! (Now, just don't lose the laptop!)

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 until the student graduates, when ownership of the laptop is transferred to the student. Participants who leave the University before four years are required to return the laptop.

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) transfer students, the University is pleased to make its volume discounts available to all students.

Is this program only available to incoming, full-time freshmen and transfer students?
Through the program, laptops are only available to incoming, full-time freshmen and (as of Fall 2004) transfer students. In addition, upper-classmen can stay ahead of the high-tech curve by purchasing a new laptop through St. John's at a special discount!