Borrow A Laptop At No Charge For Up To 4 Hours!

Program Overview: Currently registered students of Cleveland State University may check out a Gateway laptop computer (Gateway 450E or Gateway M250E) or tablet computer (Gateway M275) for on-campus use. Over 200 laptops are available on a first-come/first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). Laptops may be borrowed for a 4 hour period of time or until one hour before closing, which ever is shorter. There is no charge for usage, however late fees will be assessed and charged to you if the laptop is not returned on time. You will also be charged for any damage or if the laptop is lost or stolen and the charges will cover repair and/or replacement of the laptop, up to $2,000.

Program Registration: Students must register for the program each semester. Initial registration requires the student to present two photo IDs (One must be your student ID card and the other a government ID card such as Driver's License, Passport, State ID Card, etc.) and completing the registration form. Photo copies of both ID cards will be made when you register for the program and the Mobile Campus Program will retain the photocopies for future reference. Only currently enrolled students in good standing with Cleveland State University are eligible for the program. Once eligibility has been established, a student can check out a laptop by presenting their CSU ID card and completing a Check-out form. (The CSU ID card is held at the Mobile Campus while the computer is on loan.) After initial registration, students can renew their enrollment the next semester by verifying their eligibility and contact information.

Software: Each laptop includes Internet access (via WoWnet), MS Office and MS Works, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, and other standard software.

Hardware: Each laptop has a hard drive that can be used for temporary storage of files (erased when laptop is returned). They also have a USB port that enables use of your own USB Mini Drive if you have one. In addition, you can request either a floppy disk drive or a re-writable CD/DVD drive. These laptops have high-capacity lithium ion batteries, an internal wireless modem card, and their own carrying case. They are not issued with AC adaptors. Battery-life on the laptops will differ based upon what programs are being accessed and what equipment is being used. The battery light will turn orange when the battery is low. Typical battery life is 5-6 hours.

Although each laptop has a soundcard and speakers, we ask that you provide your own headphones to minimize disturbing other students.

Alternate Software: These laptops are configured with the most commonly used software for your convenience and do not provide the full suite of software available in the General Purpose Labs. If you require access to SAS or SPSS, or other software , please visit one of our labs. If a laptop does not have an application or program that you need for a presentation, please fill out a suggestion form so that we may investigate adding the software in the future.

Saving your work: Laptops are re-imaged when they are returned to ensure that they remain virus free, properly configured, and as trouble-free as possible, as well as to preserve the privacy of each student's work. Please be certain to save your work to your own storage device because the data will be lost once the drives are re-imaged. You may save data to internet based storage such as the Yahoo Briefcase, a floppy drive, CDRW, to your USB Mini Drive, or email work to your email account. You can purchase floppies, CDs, and USB Mini Drives in BU23, CCL, SH128, and Fenn CC.

Printing your work: Free printing is available in the Campus Connection Lounge AND each General Computing Lab (color printing is available in Fenn Computing Center at $.50/page).

Fines and Fees: Although there is no cost to use one of these laptops, there are late charges ($10.00 per hour), damage fees (cost of replacing the damaged part), and replacement fees if the unit is lost or stolen (cost of replacing the unit). The maximum combination of fines and fees is $2000.00, and all fines and fees will be charged to your account at the University and collected by the Bursar's Office. If you have outstanding fines or fees, you will be ineligible to borrow another laptop.

Lost or Stolen Equipment: You are responsible for the equipment loaned to you by this program. Use of this equipment is permitted only until the date and time due as indicated on the Mobile Campus Equipment Loan Agreement. Any use of this equipment after that time is beyond the scope of the agreement and may result in a criminal felony in the fifth degree conviction under Section 2913.04 of the Ohio Revised Code. If the equipment is lost or stolen, you need to file a report with the CSU Police Department and report the loss of the equipment to the Mobile Campus Program. Please do this promptly to avoid additional late fees. The Mobile Campus Program will make lockdown cables available to you upon request to help you to secure the laptop.

 

Suggestions: A suggestion box is located at the Mobile Campus Center. We need feedback, so please offer suggestions to help us improve this program. We will respond to suggestions based upon frequency of request and cost to implement. Responses to suggestions can also be found through FAQ icon on the computer screens.

Program Funding: This program is entirely funded by Student Tech Fees and is thus restricted to student use only. Please take care of the equipment - you are helping to pay for it.

Hours of Operation: The Mobile Campus desk will be open:

Monday: - Thursday: 7:30am to 10:00pm
Friday: 7:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
* The laptops can be borrowed at any time during these times up to 1 hour before closing

The Mobile Campus Program will be closed on holidays and during academic breaks