Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to receive a laptop?
What laptop will I get?
What software will I get?
Are laptops required for LTU students?
How does the LTU laptop initiative benefit me?
What are laptop images and how often are they updated?
What does the LTU campus technology initiative provide to students?
When can I pickup my laptop?
What optional accessories can I purchase?
Can I use my own laptop instead of an LTU laptop?
What about the laptop deposit?
Do I have to pay a laptop deposit each year?
Do I have to sign an additional agreement if I take summer classes?
What am I responsible for when I participate in LTU's laptop initiative?
Where can I get updated information on the laptop program?
What if I cannot return the laptop by the designated date?
Can I keep a laptop over the summer break?
Are graduate and doctoral students required to have laptops?
Am I eligible to receive a laptop?
All undergraduate students pursuing degrees at LTU can receive a laptop. It must be returned at the end of each academic year or upon the student's withdrawal from LTU. Eligible students can receive an LTU laptop each academic year. An academic year consists of fall and spring semesters.
What laptop will I get?
Students in the Colleges of Arts & Science, Engineering, and Management may be eligible to pick up a Fujitsu Lifebook T900 tablet. Students majoring in Architecture or students working toward a Dual Major in Architecture and Civil Engineering may be eligible to pick up a Lenovo W510 ThinkPad. Students majoring in Imaging, Media Communications, or with a dual major in Architecture & Imaging may be eligible to pick up a MacBook Pro.
What software will I get?
A wide variety of software is pre-installed on LTU laptops for student use. LTU strives to keep its students on the cutting edge of education with learning and industry-standard software applications. Each year LTU re-configures the LTU laptops to specifications set by the individual colleges (Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management) and their respective departments.
To view the current software configuration (image) please click on the corresponding link of the laptop configured for your program (See "What laptop will I get?" above): a Fujitsu Lifebook T900, a Lenovo W510 , or a MacBook Pro.
Are laptops required for LTU students?
Yes, for undergraduate students. The use of the laptop both in and out of the classroom is a integral part of Lawrence Technological University's educational mission. LTU launched the laptop initiative in the fall of 2000. It is a dynamic program to assure that LTU students are well prepared and positioned to take full advantage of advanced learning opportunities, greater access to educational resources, and ultimately, achieve a competitive edge in the workplace.
How does the LTU laptop initiative benefit me?
The laptop initiative represents more than the computers themselves – LTU continues to expend considerable resources on staff training and service infrastructure. The university has made many improvements to campus facilities and services including the campus wireless connection, additional Blackboard capabilities, Banner Web for students and a computer Help Desk to maintain and service the laptops.
What are laptop images and how often are they updated?
Each of the colleges or departments review and recommend that certain software be installed on the LTU laptops. This software configuration is specific to the student’s major. A laptop with the software configuration customized for the student's major is then created using these departmental software recommendations. This customized software configuration is called an image. Each college or department is responsible for their own software recommendations. All images are reviewed and updated each academic year by the appropriate college or department, based on course and software development.
How does participation in the LTU laptop initiative benefit me?
When you participate in the LTU laptop initiative you will receive:
- The use of an LTU laptop with all the software necessary for your coursework
- Direct integration of your LTU laptop into many classes, including classroom network connections with access to Internet around campus
- Access to Help Desk services for computer repair and support
- Insurance coverage, with a $500 deductible, for theft or damage of your LTU laptop
When can I pickup my laptop?
Eligible students can pickup an LTU laptop as early as sometime during the month of August prior to each fall semester. The student must pay a $500 security deposit, be registered for classes and sign the Online laptop agreement, available via BannerWeb, before they can pick up an LTU laptop. See note below for students under 18 years of age.
Note: If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must sign a paper copy of the laptop agreement on behalf of the student. When attempting to sign the Online laptop agreement, if the student is under 18, he or she will be prompted to print the agreement, and have a parent or legal guardian sign it on his or her behalf. Please bring this signed agreement to the LTU laptop distribution if you are under 18.
What optional accessories can I purchase?
Compatible peripheral accessories may be available for purchase from the vendor(s). These can include such items as a port replicator, extra battery packs, DVD drive, memory expansion, upgraded disk drive, external speakers, a headset/microphone, desk monitors, keyboards, and mice. Contact the Help Desk for details Such accessories are the sole property of the purchaser and are not covered by LTU's insurance. Peripheral accessories do not qualify for LTU Help Desk repair or exchange.
Can I use my own laptop instead of an LTU laptop?
Yes, students can use their own laptops instead of participating in LTU's laptop initiative. However, a student’s tuition and fees are not reduced by non-participation in LTU laptop initiative and those students forfeit many of the benefits of the laptop initiative program.
Students using personal laptop are wholly responsible for acquiring all software and meeting the technology standards required for their coursework. These technology standards and software editions can be very rapidly advancing in order to keep pace with ever changing industry standards. Unfortunately, LTU cannot install most of the required software on personal laptops because of software license restrictions. Additional software or hardware may be necessary for connection to LTU's network and for use in specific classes; therefore, students using personal laptops may find it necessary to change or upgrade software and/or hardware at their own expense over time as University standards advance.
Students using personal laptops are responsible for their own insurance coverage. Also, due to hardware or software differences, the Help Desk may be unable to provide problem resolution or software assistance on personal laptops. Also the repair and exchange privileges and other services available through the Help Desk for LTU laptops are not available for personal laptops.
What about the laptop deposit?
The $500 deposit can be paid by check, money order, cash, credit card or financial aid at the One Stop Center. The deposit will be returned by check in the mail approximately three to four weeks after the laptop is returned. See note below.
Note: If the laptop is returned damaged the cost of repairs will be assessed against the deposit. Any remaining deposit amount, will be credited to the student’s account to be refunded and/or applied to any other outstanding balances.
Do I have to pay a laptop deposit each year?
No, when a student turns in his or her laptop prior to leaving for the summer, they can choose to roll their laptop deposit over for use for the the next year. These funds, less any charges for damages to the laptop, will be held and reapplied to the laptop deposit for the following academic year.
Do I have to sign an additional agreement if I take summer classes?
No, laptop agreements are valid for one year. However, if you are taking summer classes, please check with the Help Desk in C203 to ensure you have a current agreement on file. If your agreement is not current, you will be contacted to return your laptop or pay for non-return of the laptop as stated in your agreement.
What am I responsible for when I participate in LTU's laptop initiative?
- Picking up an LTU laptop the beginning of each academic year.
- Keeping the laptop clean and in good condition.
- Ensuring the laptop is in their possession and in a secure place.
- Reporting any damage or theft immediately to the Help Desk.
- Returning the laptop to the Help Desk during the designated return dates.
Where can I get updated information on the laptop program?
All students are responsible for viewing the LTU website, reading their LTU email, and viewing updates on the Blackboard system throughout the academic year. The Help Desk staff, as well as the Provost's Office, will post periodic updates on the laptop program during the academic year.
What if I cannot return the laptop by the designated date?
All students are required to return their laptop during the designated return period. This date is listed on the LTU's ehelp website, through Blackboard announcements and through LTU Webmail prior to classes ending each May. The LTU laptop agreement, which all students sign, specifies that if students do not return their laptop within the designated return period (or immediately upon termination of the agreement) a penalty of $20 per day will be assessed to their student accounts. Please contact the Help Desk if you cannot return your LTU laptop by the designated return dates.
Can I keep a laptop over the summer break?
Yes, if certain conditions are met. Students may keep the laptop for the summer if they are enrolled in summer courses and/or if they are registered for classes the following fall semester. An exception to this arrangement may occur during the years that LTU updates and refreshes LTU laptop hardware. However, these guidelines are subject to change without prior notice.
Are graduate and doctoral students required to have laptops?
Doctoral and graduate students are not included in the laptop program and are generally not required to use a laptop. Laptops are not generally available for graduate students except those in the Master of Architecture or by exception. In the event an exception is made, graduate students are subject to the same terms and policies as undergraduate students. Graduate students must pay a $500 security deposit, sign a laptop agreement, and turn in their laptops by the posted dates (or incur late charges of $20 for each day the computer is not returned). A laptop usage fee will be assessed to their accounts when they register for the laptop program. See the Lawrence Tech Laptop Initiative page for details.