Teaching, Learning and Communication Initiative

A Notebook Computer for Every Student!

Program Basics

• Full-time NMU undergraduate students (registered for 12 or more credit hours) are supplied with an IBM ThinkPad® or Apple iBook® (art and design majors) notebook computer with a standard set of applications, including Microsoft Office, and convenient 24-hour access to the campus network (including the Internet).

•  Classrooms in new/remodeled buildings are designed to facilitate computer/network use by faculty and students. Classrooms either have a port at every seat or have wireless access to the network. However, student in-class use is not always appropriate.

•  Network ports and wireless access is available in residence hall rooms, the library and in numerous lounges, study rooms and public places around campus. Although electronic documents are encouraged, networked printers are installed in various campus locations for hard copy documents.

•  The university has a phone-in/e-mail help desk and a walk-in service center located at 105 Edgar L. Harden Learning Resources Center to handle notebook computer maintenance and university supported software problems. Phone: 906-227-2468 E-mail: helpdesk@nmu.edu.

•  NMU leases the notebook computers and issues them to students on a two-year replacement cycle (a student will not have a computer more than two years old). There is a $500 deductible that the student will be responsible for if the laptop is stolen, and a $50 deductible if the laptop is subjected to “abnormal abuse” (i.e. spilling a beverage on the keyboard, dropping the computer, etc.). It is recommended that an insurance provider be contacted to either obtain additional coverage or add the ThinkPad to an existing policy.

•  Continuing students who pre-register for the following fall are able to use the computer through the summer at no additional charge.

•  Statewide dial-in access for NMU students is available. This service provides students with a local dial-in number within Michigan to connect to the Internet thus avoiding long distance charges.

What To Expect

A few weeks before your first semester begins, you will receive a Teaching, Learning and Communication Initiative information mailing. The mailing will include an agreement along with information on the assigned day, time and place where you may pick up the computer. Distribution will begin three days prior to the beginning of the semester.

After you obtain the ThinkPad or iBook, a variety of computer setup and training options will be available for you. There will also be computer accessories available from the NMU Bookstore. The NMU Bookstore offers inexpensive printers, drives for backup and storage, bags and cabling to support the computer.