ORDFlyer85
Well-Known Member
A email sent out to all students today:
STATUS OF THE AERO LAPTOP PROGRAM
The Aviation Department is proposing that the Aero Laptop Program be
discontinued; but before the final decision is made, the department
requests your input.
Why is the Aviation Department planning to discontinue the Aero Laptop
Program?
#1. Information technology has changed considerably since the laptop
program was started 12 years ago. Both hardware and software prices
have come down. Classroom compatible laptops can now be purchased for
$500 or less, and a recent licensing agreement between UND and Microsoft
has made Office software available to students for only $70. Plus, a
growing number of students possess their own personal laptops.
#2. A survey distributed to aviation students last semester indicated
that approximately half of the students disapprove of the current
program. These students expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of the
program and the quality of aviation computers.
#3. The current laptop fee ($340 per semester) is not covering the
cost of the laptop program. If the program were to continue, either the
semester fee would have to go up, the quality of the computer would have
to go down, or graduating seniors would not be allowed to keep their
laptops (Senior Buyback Program).
#4. A recent survey conducted of the aviation faculty indicated that
laptops are used to enhance the learning process in 84% of the aviation
classes, but only 32% used Aerospace-specific software (software located
in the Aviation Folder). In reality, most Aerospace-specific software
programs are available through other avenues; the only exception is the
Warrior Systems software. This essentially means that students could
use their personal laptops in the classroom---special licensing software
is not required. In light of these statistics, seventy-six percent of
the faculty voted in favor of discontinuing the current Aerospace Laptop
Program. Students would still be expected to have a laptop in the
classroom, but it could now be a personally owned computer. For those
who do not own a laptop, a one-time laptop purchase can be included in a
student’s financial aid package.
The following steps outline the Aviation Department’s proposal:
1. Discontinue the Aero Laptop Program at the end of the current lease
period.
(All laptops will need to be returned to our leasing agent by
September 30, 2010.)
2. Students not enrolled in summer courses will turn-in their laptops
at the end of the Spring 2010 semester.
3. Students enrolled in summer courses will turn-in their laptops at
the end of the summer session.
4. Seniors graduating in May or August will have the option of
purchasing their current Dell 630 laptop for $25.
(This is contingent upon our leasing company agreeing to sell the
laptops for the same price as previous semesters---the Aviation
Department historically has paid $225 for each senior laptop).
5. All other students currently participating in the Aero Laptop
Program will have the opportunity to purchase their laptops for its
current resale value (as determined by our leasing company).
6. It will be the Aviation Department’s policy that students provide
their own laptops for use in the classroom.
Please provide your input on this proposal by clicking on the link
below. You will be asked to indicate your approval or disapproval of
the Aviation Department’s proposal as detailed above. Thank you for
your input.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2B8SYH5
STATUS OF THE AERO LAPTOP PROGRAM
The Aviation Department is proposing that the Aero Laptop Program be
discontinued; but before the final decision is made, the department
requests your input.
Why is the Aviation Department planning to discontinue the Aero Laptop
Program?
#1. Information technology has changed considerably since the laptop
program was started 12 years ago. Both hardware and software prices
have come down. Classroom compatible laptops can now be purchased for
$500 or less, and a recent licensing agreement between UND and Microsoft
has made Office software available to students for only $70. Plus, a
growing number of students possess their own personal laptops.
#2. A survey distributed to aviation students last semester indicated
that approximately half of the students disapprove of the current
program. These students expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of the
program and the quality of aviation computers.
#3. The current laptop fee ($340 per semester) is not covering the
cost of the laptop program. If the program were to continue, either the
semester fee would have to go up, the quality of the computer would have
to go down, or graduating seniors would not be allowed to keep their
laptops (Senior Buyback Program).
#4. A recent survey conducted of the aviation faculty indicated that
laptops are used to enhance the learning process in 84% of the aviation
classes, but only 32% used Aerospace-specific software (software located
in the Aviation Folder). In reality, most Aerospace-specific software
programs are available through other avenues; the only exception is the
Warrior Systems software. This essentially means that students could
use their personal laptops in the classroom---special licensing software
is not required. In light of these statistics, seventy-six percent of
the faculty voted in favor of discontinuing the current Aerospace Laptop
Program. Students would still be expected to have a laptop in the
classroom, but it could now be a personally owned computer. For those
who do not own a laptop, a one-time laptop purchase can be included in a
student’s financial aid package.
The following steps outline the Aviation Department’s proposal:
1. Discontinue the Aero Laptop Program at the end of the current lease
period.
(All laptops will need to be returned to our leasing agent by
September 30, 2010.)
2. Students not enrolled in summer courses will turn-in their laptops
at the end of the Spring 2010 semester.
3. Students enrolled in summer courses will turn-in their laptops at
the end of the summer session.
4. Seniors graduating in May or August will have the option of
purchasing their current Dell 630 laptop for $25.
(This is contingent upon our leasing company agreeing to sell the
laptops for the same price as previous semesters---the Aviation
Department historically has paid $225 for each senior laptop).
5. All other students currently participating in the Aero Laptop
Program will have the opportunity to purchase their laptops for its
current resale value (as determined by our leasing company).
6. It will be the Aviation Department’s policy that students provide
their own laptops for use in the classroom.
Please provide your input on this proposal by clicking on the link
below. You will be asked to indicate your approval or disapproval of
the Aviation Department’s proposal as detailed above. Thank you for
your input.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2B8SYH5
