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Supporting Remote Learning: Student Laptop Loan Program

Section 1

March 25, 2020

Dear Anteaters:

These are very difficult times and not having the right equipment to access your coursework can make them even more difficult. To help alleviate the challenge of securing appropriate computer equipment for remote learning, UCI has secured a number of laptops for free loan during Spring quarter to students who don’t have access to key remote learning tools.

In particular, students who don’t have access to the following computer equipment, which is required to run Zoom (for web conferencing) and Respondus Monitor + LockDown Browser (for online test proctoring), might benefit from borrowing a laptop:

=         -Windows or Mac OS X operating systems (Google Chromebooks, iPads, iPhones, and Android tablets and phones do not support Respondus)

=         -A webcam

=         -A microphone

Please review the following Student Laptop Loan Program details before submitting a request:

=        -Each laptop has a webcam and microphone and the following software pre-installed: Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Office 365, Google Chrome browser, Zoom, and Cisco AnyConnect VPN client. You can install additional software.

=         -The loan is free of charge, but fines will be imposed for damage (beyond normal wear and tear), late return, or non-return (including because of loss or theft), up to $800.

=         -You must be able to pick up the laptop from campus on a weekday between 9:00am and 4:00pm. We will use appropriate social distancing during the pickup process. We are, unfortunately, unable to ship out laptops at this time but will explore this and let you know if things change.

=         -The program’s laptops have been leased by UCI and must be returned to campus during the week of June 15th either in person or by shipping. If shipping, you are responsible for proper packaging, costs, and any damage incurred in the process.

To request a laptop loan, please follow the link below and submit a request form:

 https://forms.gle/HJdqduHWpKNrHkqTA

For students working as instructional assistants, TAs, Readers, or Research Assistants who need additional equipment for that work, you should request this equipment through your hiring department rather than through this loan program.

If you have any questions about the Student Laptop Loan Program, please email: mailto:studentequipment@uci.edu

We appreciate all that you are coping with and hope this program helps a bit. We all look forward to our return from these emergency procedures as soon as possible.

 

Michael Dennin

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Dean, Division of Undergraduate Education

Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning

 

Gillian Hayes

Kleist Professor of Informatics

Dean, Graduate Division

Vice Provost for Graduate Education