Editors: A list of students available for comment is included.
For the second year in a row, CU-Boulder is lending computers to incoming students who don聮t own their own equipment.
Computers will be loaned at no cost to 104 students this year, bringing the total number of students in the computer lending program to almost 300.
Each new computer is equipped with the hardware and software necessary for students to take advantage of CU聮s high-speed network, either from CU residence halls or from off-campus housing, according to Deborah Keyek-Franssen, who is overseeing the program.
Approximately 40 of the computers are Apple iMacs and the rest are Dell Optiplex units. Both are high-speed models and come equipped with Microsoft Office and anti-virus software. The computers are delivered directly to students聮 rooms by technical teams that install the computers so they are ready to use.
The computers are being delivered through Aug. 29 for the Dell equipment and between Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 for the iMacs.
"The Student Computer Lending Program was a great success last year," said Bobby Schnabel, associate vice chancellor for academic and campus technology and the campus聮s chief information officer.
"We're delighted with the university's commitment to continuing this program so we can ensure that all CU-Boulder students have the computer support that is so essential to succeeding in higher education."
The program, which has a budget of $150,000 this year, is funded entirely by the CU-Boulder administration.
For the first time this year, the Student Computer Lending Program is offering training classes for participating students on the basics of computer care and maintenance and on the operating system software and Microsoft Office.
Representatives from Apple and Dell will teach the classes. Students also are encouraged to attend the free sessions offered through the campus聮s Information Technology Services unit. The computing classes give students basic and in-depth training in a range of computer applications and uses.
The percentage of students who own computers continues to rise on the CU-Boulder campus. Last year, 85 percent of freshmen had computers -- up 14 percent from the previous year. The Student Computer Lending Program attempts to raise that percentage even further for low-income students.
Overall computer ownership for the entire student body is estimated to be at least 80 percent.
Students are identified as eligible for the computer lending program with the assistance of the Office of Financial Aid. Approximately 50 percent of the students who are eligible for the program opt to participate. Students retain the computers during their entire time at CU-Boulder.
The following students can be contacted to comment on the computer loan program:
o Chae Kim, (303) 786-0244, receiving a Dell computer
o Tiffany Fleming, (303) 786-2995, receiving a Dell computer
o Jennifer Conner, (303) 786-3472, receiving an iMac computer
o Mike Zorman (303) 786-4869, receiving an iMac computer
For more information contact Keyek-Franssen at (303) 492-2403.