The purpose of this policy is to insure that every student who attends Illinois State University has access to a personal computer.
All new students who attend Illinois State University after the fall semester of 2005 must bring with them a personal computer that meets the University’s published minimum hardware and software standards.
Illinois State University has approved a requirement that beginning with the Fall 2005 Semester each student new to the university is expected to own a computer that meets the University’s published minimum hardware and software standards. For mobility and flexibility reasons, laptops are strongly recommended. No student will be prevented from attending classes based on an inability to purchase a computer; the cost of a computer can be added to the student's total cost of attendance. The cost of attendance is one of the factors that determine the amount of financial aid offered.
Campus-wide minimum standards for a computer workstation are updated each year. Additional requirements may be differentiated by major or academic program. This information may be found on the web at TechZone. The University provides a comprehensive support infrastructure to help students with purchasing computers, installation, trouble-shooting, and training. These services include TechZone, Residential Computer Consultants (RCCs), Help Desk support, high-speed Internet ports in residence hall rooms, and wired and wireless data ports in social and library study areas around campus to support mobile computing.
While the computer requirement imposes an additional financial obligation on students, there are several solutions and means to make it affordable and practical for students, especially low-income students. Computer ownership costs and expenses can be added as a component in the University’s Cost of Attendance for entering freshman and undergraduate transfer students.
Students may apply for financial aid to help cover the cost of a computer by completing and submitting the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. Students and parents should check with TechZone to obtain a price quote for an appropriate computer. If financial assistance is needed in addition to the initial amount of aid offered, TechZone will refer students to the Financial Aid Office to request a budget adjustment. Information is also available at TechZone for private financing options.
TechZone, a department of the University, provides information and access to special pricing for the acquisition of computers. Special software licensing programs are also available. After consulting with TechZone, the following options for acquiring a computer may be considered:
Each new student who attends Illinois State University after the fall semester of 2005 must comply with the Student Computer Ownership Policy.
The President of Illinois State University has approved the Policy on Student Computer Ownership. This policy will be periodically reviewed by the Information Technology Policy and Planning Council and changes or additions to this policy will be recommended by this Council to the President of the University. Information technology resources and systems are changing rapidly both in terms of technology and application, and the University reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. The version posted on the web at www.policy.ilstu.edu/ is the governing policy.
Last Review: January 2005
