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 2004-2005 academic year, all incoming, full-time freshmen
and transfer students will receive a wireless laptop.
What kind of laptop is it?
During the 2004-05 academic year, the laptop students receive is an
IBM ThinkPad R Series.
- Intel Centrino processor
- Wireless and Wired
- 40 GB Hard Drive
- 14" screen
- CD Burner/DVD Player
- 6 Hours of battery life
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Office Professional
- Virus Protection
- 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 2004 semester will be contacted
with all the details in the late summer of 2004.
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?
The Laptop Program was launched in the Fall 2003 semester and
continues for Fall 2004. 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!
Want to learn more about the Laptop Program at St. John's
University? Call us at 1 (866) 213-1062.