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Laptops for Students

Michelle Fowkes

Debora Huggins

Nicole Standal

Utah State University

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Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables............................................................................................................ 3Tables........................................................................................................................................... 3Figures......................................................................................................................................... 3

............................................................................................................................................... 3 ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... 4Abstract....................................................................................................................................... 6Introduction................................................................................................................................. 6Problem statement and Background Information..........................................................................7Solution....................................................................................................................................... 8Providing laptops......................................................................................................................... 8

Laptops-................................................................................................................................. 8 Finances................................................................................................................................. 8 Staff....................................................................................................................................... 9

Implementation............................................................................................................................ 9Benefits...................................................................................................................................... 10Cost Analysis............................................................................................................................. 10Conclusion................................................................................................................................. 11

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List of Figures and Tables

Tables

Table 1 Revenue incurred by University 9

Table 2 Outline of Cost to University 11

Figures

Figure 1 Laptop Ownership Trends 10

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Executive SummaryThere are a great number of college students who cannot financially afford to purchase a

computer, and the labs on campus are insufficient to amply supply the demand. According to the

Utah System of Higher Education, Utah State University has surpassed 25,000 students and

increasing enrollment is predicted. Lack of computers has become a major problem. Various

studies show laptops improve a student’s rate of success. The busy lifestyle of college students

creates a need for portable computers but with student’s limited incomes this poses a problem.

Our solution is a lease-to-own program for all Utah State University students. This program is

unlike other universities in that it is optional. The payments are to be added to the students’

tuition and are to be divided into four to eight payments, depending on the students’ preference.

This cost will be the same as it would be if bought at the University Bookstore.

The IT Department has the knowledge and ability to operate this program, so no

additional staff will be needed. We also have their full support in this venture. The University’s

already existing program can be used as well so there would be no additional cost for a new

program. Repair costs would be covered by the computer’s warranty; further repairs not covered

would have a repair fee. The only cost for this program would be the purchase of the computers.

This program would give students more opportunity to own their own computer. There

would be less of a need for the universities to supply computer labs as well. Consequently, with

the increased enrollment there would be no need to make space for new labs. The following

proposal outlines all of the specifications for this program as well as the background research to

substantiate our claims which could be put into action within six months time.

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Introduction

There are a great number of college students who cannot financially afford to purchase a

computer, and the labs on campus are insufficient to amply supply the demand. According to the

Utah System of Higher Education, USU has surpassed 25,000 students for the first time

(Jenkins, 2009). This means with its 21 labs, each lab caters to 1,194 students on average (USU,

2009). USU is expected to continue to grow, and the space and resources required to expand or

create new computer labs will take away from any new housing, classrooms, and other usable

spaces. The rise in technical jobs and training increases the need for access to computers. Utah

State University needs to be capable of adapting to meet the needs of its students or risk losing

them to universities that do. This program will charge the student the selling price divided

equally over the span of four or eight semesters depending on the student’s preference. The

payments will be added into the individual’s tuition. If the student decides to quit or transfer he

or she will be given the option to either buy the laptop in full or to return it without a refund of

the money that has already been paid toward the purchase. A program such as this can be used

as a recruiting tool to encourage student to come to Utah State University, much in the same way

as Steven-Henagar’s slogan “Graduate and get a laptop”. No extra staff or facilities would need

to be added, since the existing infrastructure is more than sufficient to host this program.

Problem statement and Background InformationUSU this year has over 25,000 students, and the number of distance education students

has doubled since one year ago. Distance education students may be relying on antiquated

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computers which barely meet the class requirements, and it may be extremely difficult or

impossible for them to access the 21 computer labs on campus. In the current economic

hardships, installing new computer labs are expensive in more ways than just monetary: Each

computer lab takes space several classes could have used throughout the day, each computer lab

requires IT staff help, cleaning staff, and people to monitor use of computers. The roles needed

for a Lease-to-Own program are already in place: the payments are received with tuition; staff

for dispensing computers are already in place, as are the IT department. With 1,194 students

sharing each computer lab, something must be done.

USU has a reputation as being a good school forging new paths through fresh thinking

and innovation. Yet, USU is being left behind as more colleges and competition offer laptops to

use while going to school, and if the student graduates they keep the computer. Currently, USU

has no similar program. Majors which did not previously use computer technology are now

required to do so. There is a solid product pull for laptops, and a Lease-to-Own program may be

the perk needed to sway a new recruit to enroll in USU.

Solution

Providing laptops

Laptops-

Laptops are purchased in the same venue as the USU Bookstore, and the selection of

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laptops made available will be the same as those sold through them. This staff already orders and

sells laptops, and answering questions and ordering extra laptops for this program would be an

easy task. Currently, prices for these laptops range from $899 to $2,299.

Finances

The university would need to initially purchase the laptops, so the cost to fund the

program to start with would be taken into consideration. After this, though, the university would

earn 8% interest on each laptop.

Laptop Cost to University Charge RevenueMacBook 13.3” $899.00 $999.00 $100.00MacBook Pro 13” $1,049.00 $1,199.00 $150.00MacBook Pro 17” $2,299.00 $2,499.00 $200.00

Table 1 - Revenue incurred by University

Staff

The IT department can distribute and maintain records of the laptops, while the ordering

and shipping may be left to the USU Bookstore. No extra staff would need to be trained or hired,

as this program would be no strain to the current infrastructure. The IT staff currently uses

software to monitor and maintain records for their computers, and this software can be used for

Laptops for Students.

Implementation

The staffing for this program can be covered by the IT department. They currently have a skilled

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and knowledgeable staff that is responsible for current computer-related issues that occur for

both USU staff/faculty and students. The computers will have a warranty for a period of time

and any problems that arise during that time will be corrected by the IT staff at no cost to the

student. If a problem arises that is not covered by a warranty, the cost to the student would be

approximately $60 per hour, with two hours being the average time required for extensive

repairs. There will also be no need to increase or hire any more staff as the existing staff is more

than sufficient to service any students that would enroll in this program.

Benefits

The benefits to this program are immense from the increase to student’s grades and satisfaction

as well as to potential revenue to the university. Within the past four years desktop ownership

has decreased by 27% whereas laptop ownership has increased by 22.9%. (Refer to figure 1).

Laptop ownership is on the rise with many students purchasing them in their freshman year. Yet

there are still some 25% of university students without laptops (Smith, etc.). One study

performed has shown an increase in student’s grades as well as with overall satisfaction for those

who own a laptop (Trimmel & Bachmann). Another study reported student found that study

habits were greatly improved by laptops (Demb, etc.) Several other colleges have implemented

similar programs such as Stevens-Henager and Meredith college. Unlike the others this program

is entirely voluntary so the costs of the program will fall to those students who decide to

participate and thus not affect tuition for all USU students.

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Figure 1 Laptop ownership trends

Cost AnalysisThe cost to the university will be minimal since the IT department has adequate Staff and

knowledge to instigate the program no further staff will need to be hired. The infrastructure is

not a problem either as the program can be run on the University’s current system. (Funk)

Informing the student about the new program could be achieved by posting flyers around the

university directing them to a Facebook page and a page on USU’s website for further

information. New student can be informed by introducing the program during new student

orientation (SOAR). In short the only cost for this would be in the printing of the flyers as

Facebook is a free social networking site.

The majority of the cost would come from the initial purchase price of the laptops. This

would cost the university between $899 and $2299 per laptop. The cost to the student would be

split up evenly by either four or eight semesters. This would come to between $249.75 and

$624.75 (plus tax) for four semesters or $124.89 and $312.36 (plus tax) for eight semesters if the

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student were to be charged the university bookstore price (Carrel). Repairs to the laptop will be

covered by the laptops warranty and will be taken care of by the IT department. All repairs not

covered by said warranty will have a $60 per hour charge to the student (Funk). Table 1 shown

below outlines the level of cost to the university.

Cost Areas Cost to University

Staffing LowInfrastructure None

Informing Students LowLaptop Cost Medium to Low

Repairs NoneTable 2 Outline of Cost to University

Conclusion

This program can be implemented in time for the fall 2010 semester. We anticipate that from the time we bring this program to the attention of the University to the time that it can be realistically put into operation is from 90 to 180 days. This would give us time to bring it to the attention of the proper department as well as advertise it to get the students involved and supportive. The manager of the IT service desk, Steve Funk, has already given us verbal support for the program and would be willing to assist us in getting it to operational status.

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References

Carrel, P. (5 October 2009). Technology Buyer. (M. Fowkes, Interviewer)

Demb, A., Erickson, D., & Hawkins-Wilding, S. (2004). The laptop alternative: Student reactions

and strategic implications. Computers & Education, 43(4), 383-401. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2003.08.008.

Funk, S. (7 October 2009). IT Service Desk Manager. (D. Huggins, Interviewer)

Meredith Laptop Policy. (2009). Retrieved September 12, 2009, from Meredith College: http://www.meredith.edu/techserv/general/policies/lappolicy.php

Smith, Shannon, Gail Salaway, and Judith Borreson Caruso, with an Introduction by Richard N. Katz. The ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2009 (Research Study, Vol. 6). Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, 2009, available from http://www.educause.edu/ecar.

Stevens-Henager College, (August 2009). Top Ten Reasons: Laptops. http://www.stevenshenegar.edu http://www.stevenshenager.edu/free-laptop-college-students.html

Trimmel, M., & Bachmann, J. (2004). Original article Cognitive, social, motivational and health aspects of students in laptop classrooms. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20(2), 151-158. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2004.00076.x.