The Pros & Cons of Computer Requirements (or lack thereof)

1. The Pros & Cons of Computer Requirements(or lack thereof) Jim Rizzo, Providence College Sean Ward, Bowling Green State University

2. Providence College Background • Small Private College • About 3,800 Undergrads • 80% live on campus • Single Centralized Helpdesk • Minimal support for students • Software Only • No computer requirements • Recommended laptop program

3. What do we support? • Virus Removal • Including support of the college’s AV software • Spyware Removal • Network Connectivity Issues • Basic miscellaneous software support • Troubleshooting of other issues • Windows XP or newer • MacOS X on approved Apple hardware

4. What don’t we support? • Hardware issues • OS (re)installation • Linux • Windows prior to XP

5. What We Require • Anti-Virus software • Provide McAfee VirusScan Enterprise to all students • Not required to use our AV software if they have an active subscription to something else • Service Pack 2 for Windows XP • All OS security updates

6. Recommended Laptop Program • Computers purchased from outside vendor • CompUtopia • Offer 2 HP laptops and 1 HP tablet • Vendor has service center on campus • Supports all issues • Free for computers under their warranty • Charge for computers not under their warranty • Purchased from them or through a third party • Will not support computers under a warranty elsewhere • http://www.computopia.com/provcoll

7. Computer Labs • IT and the Library have about 300 combined public computers • All computers have same image • Image includes all software necessary for all classes at PC

8. BGSU Background • Large State Assisted University • About 18,000 Undergrads • About 6,400 live on campus • Multiple Helpdesks • No university computer requirements • Discounts through bookstore • Apple, Dell, and CDW-G.

9. What do we support? • Virus Removal • Including support of the college’s AV software • Spyware Removal • Network Connectivity Issues • Basic miscellaneous software support • Troubleshooting of other issues • Windows XP or newer • MacOS X on approved Apple hardware • Connection of game systems • Some OS (re)installation

10. What “don’t” we support? • Hardware issues • Older/infrequent OSs • Linux • Windows prior to XP • Macintosh prior to OS X • Computers that fall outside our minimum requirements

11. What We Require • Anti-Virus software • Provide McAfee VirusScan Enterprise to all students • Any active anti-virus allowed • All OS security updates • Computer meets our minimum requirements

12. Upcoming Issues • This fall, there will be 3 English courses requiring laptops, a total of 40 classes • Some issues raised by this are: • Providing enough power outlets for recharging • Providing enough APs to allow everyone on • Available wall ports for those wanting wired connections • Will be pushing Apple and Dell as “suggestions” • Hardware support on campus: Apple and Dell only

13. Computer Labs • Computer labs are in a number of academic buildings and all residence halls and on-campus Greek houses • Aside from few specialty labs, all computers have the same image

14. Mandatory Laptop Program - Pros • Easier to support • Standardized hardware • Standardized image • Reduced need for general purpose labs • Faculty do not need to reserve a lab

15. Mandatory Laptop Program – Cons • Necessity • Cost/Benefit analysis • Will they be used for classes? • Becomes part of tuition • How to deal with scholarship recipients • Still need special purpose labs • Possible hardware issue across the board • Same model, same hardware, same issues • Lack of choice and customization for power users

16. Questions? Sean Ward Bowling Green State University 419-372-9429 sward@bgsu.edu Jim Rizzo Providence College 401-865-1277 Jrizzo@providence.edu Randy Hollowell Miami University 513-529-9731 randy.hollowell@muohio.edu