The purpose of the Information Technology Initiative is to put computer technology into the hands of all COB students. The College’s mission is "educate undergraduate and MBA students in the region and beyond to be successful and responsible business professionals." In this context, the College of Business offers programs in a technologically-advanced active learning environment. This Initiative ensures that all students will have the same opportunity and exposure to the technology needed to succeed in business today. All students entering the College of Business will be required to purchase a laptop computer through MSU’s Campus Computer store or on-line via the COB website.
Our laptop initiative is designed to give students an advantage over other students across the country. It prepares them to live in the current world, namely a wireless, real time, socially connected environment. In a recent standardized exit survey of our students performed by Educational Benchmarking Inc (EBI), our students ranked their “ability to use technology” and their “ability to manage technology” higher than students rated their respective business schools at many of the leading business schools. Our students are at the very top nationally and globally in their ability to use and manage technology in a business context. Our graduates are sought out for their mature understanding of how laptops are used in both a personal setting and a professional setting.
Entering Freshmen may purchase the COB approved laptop computer from the Campus Computer Store. However, students are not required to own the laptop until they begin taking required COB core courses (e.g. Accounting 200, Business Law 200, and Management 200). These courses are typically taken in the sophomore year. The COB laptop must be purchased prior to enrolling in laptop courses. The Dell Latitude E6400 (updated 12-4-08) COB laptop can be purchased at the Campus Computer Store. Please remember to ask specifically for the COB required laptop.
The Initiative is designed to provide students with industry applications of information technology; thus making them better prepared and more marketable to prospective employers. Students further benefit by having 24-hour access to worldwide information services, from any location at any time, not just from the computer labs. As a result of a campus–wide wireless initiative, students are able to log on to the Internet from multiple campus sites, indoors and out, without a hard wire connection. Other advantages of the IT Initiative include not having to move to a computer lab for instruction, not having to use unfamiliar computers, or not having to transfer files and software by disk to one’s own computer or to another open lab computer for completing assignments.
Some key features offered by the COB laptop are: 1) students do not pay sales tax since it is part of their required materials for courses; in that sense it is like a wholesale transaction 2) an on-site Complete Carethree-year warranty is offered that covers any type of accidental damage, 3) Microsoft Office Professional is installed, 4) Vista Ultimate is installed, 5) SPSS statistical package is also installed; Dell does not sell this software. 6) antivirus is installed.
All students with a major or a minor in the College of Business are required to purchase a COB approved laptop from the Campus Computer Store. The reason we opt to standardize is to keep classroom quality high and keep expenses and waiting time low. Students can get their laptops fixed typically within a day. We are a Dell certified repair facility. We have components on hand for all the models students buy. This would of course include earlier models prior to the new E6400 such as the D630, the D620, D610, and D600. If a computer is damaged, which we see often (broken screens, dropped laptops, drinks spilled on laptops, etc.), students are given a laptop loaner on the spot and their laptop is repaired quickly. One of the reasons this system works so effectively is the standardization. The software configuration is standard and the parts are standard. This means it is faster and cheaper for the student. If students are bringing in many different brands and models, the rapid and inexpensive repair model we value is diminished. The faculty do like the standard laptop approach since it really helps support our goal of having 100% of the students in every class with a working laptop.
Can I get special features? Yes! The laptop we offer is an extremely good value. However, students may also opt to purchase additional features. Please discuss available options with representatives in the Campus Computer Store. In addition, students may purchase a Dell E6500 from the Campus Computer Store which has a larger screen and some additional features.
If you are enrolling in COB courses and you are a College of Business student, you will be required to participate in the Information Technology Initiative.
The COB approved laptop and pricing is negotiated each semester. Please check with the Campus Computer Store for the current model and price. Students may upgrade the laptop; however, this will be considered a special order. The COB approved laptop comes with all the necessary hardware and software and includes a 3-year (or optional 4-year) warranty package.
First year students entering MSU may purchase the College of Business laptop from the Campus Computer Store. Due to licensing agreements between the College of Business and Microsoft and state sales tax regulations, students who are not enrolled in a laptop required class (200-400 level business classes) will be required to pay sales tax and purchase Microsoft Office Professional. When students enroll in 200 level business classes, they will begin paying a $125 program fee per semester. Additional software will be installed on your laptop at that time.
The laptop must be paid for, in full, at the time of purchase either by check or credit card. Students who qualify for financial aid can incorporate the expense into their financial aid package. To qualify, students need only to indicate on their registration that they are a business major enrolled in the I.T. Initiative (i.e., they have paid the $125 program fee).
If you wish to register for a laptop class, you must fill out and submit the I.T. Initiative Fee Form on the COB webpage prior to registration.
The $125 program fee covers software site licenses for SPSS, Microsoft products, Mergent Online, Compustat, CRSP, Euromonitor, ABI Inform, & Business Source Premier, Wall Street Journal online access, Demographicsnow, Business Week online, access to COB printers with increased printing, 35 student laptop loaners for students whose laptops need repair work, premium on-campus technical support, and classroom infrastructure support.
Indicating your intention to purchase a COB laptop computer while filling out your program fee does not start the ordering process. It is your responsibility to go to the Campus Computer Store to order your laptop computer. If you plan to arrange financing through a bank or credit union, you should make those arrangements prior to placing your order. All laptops must be paid in full at time of purchase.
Distribution sessions are held daily on the 3rd floor of the Memorial Library in the ITS HelpDesk area.
Distribution times for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be at 2:20 p.m.
Distribution times for Tuesday and Friday will be at 11:00 am.
This session takes approximately ¾ to 1 hour. Warranty information is discussed, as is College of Business printing, and other information to make your computer use on the MSU campus as smooth as possible.
Yes, the laptop computers are equipped with three modes of access: a modem, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity. The modem will assist students with off-campus access, while the Ethernet and wireless connections can be used on-campus. All residence halls are wired for Ethernet access to the Internet. Classroom buildings, the library, the student union, and the fountain, and bell tower areas have wireless accessibility.
Yes, but to an increasingly smaller extent as learning materials reside on the computers rather than the printed page. Textbook authors (including the College’s own instructors) are making the switch to CD-ROM. For some time, instructors have been relying less on textbooks and developing their own course materials for students to buy at copy shops. Course materials can be electronically transmitted the first day of class, at no cost, along with the course syllabus.
Printers are available in a number of locations on campus. In addition, some work can be submitted to instructors electronically. For personal or home use, students may wish to purchase a printer.
No, when students participate in in-class activities each student will be required to have their own laptop. Not all activities, tests for example, are collaborative efforts.
Laptops will make students’ lives easier than using the computer labs because students will use their laptops for projects or papers in all courses. A survey taken of College of Business students regarding the use of computer labs revealed that students dislike the noise, equipment failures, low quality printing, and the inaccessibility of equipment and printers during high demand times. The IT Initiative will help alleviate these student concerns.
All students will be required to attend a distribution session on the use and care of their laptop, accessibility to MSU networks, and dialing-in instructions.
Increasingly, students already have these skills before they come to the College of Business. However, to assure a minimum skill level, College of Business students are required to complete Computer Science 101, Introduction to Microcomputers. The laptop program will give students the opportunity to further develop the skills learned in this course. Students will have a definite advantage in all classes, on their jobs, and in the job market. The College of Business wants to facilitate the students’ transition from the classroom to the workplace in a way that gives our students a competitive edge in dealing with information technology. Knowledge of information technology is no longer something that sets a student apart, but rather the lack of such knowledge may hinder a student’s career.
Each course and each professor will require different applications of laptop technology. Some courses will use laptops intensively in class while others will rely more on out-of-class applications. Students should NOT expect to use their laptop computer the same way in each class. The common thread throughout the curriculum is that students have the appropriate technology to meet the challenges of an increasingly wireless, real-time work environment. 24/7 access to Microsoft Office products, SPSS, Wall Street Journal online, e-mail, and web access are all tools that are integrated into the laptop learning environment.
Student software consultants will be available during selected hours in the Morris Hall first floor Commons area. These consultants will be knowledgeable in the various software packages required for classroom use.
The ITS COB HelpDesk will assist you with any required software installs, reimaging, and/or hardware warranty repair. A pool of loaner laptops is maintained for your use if your laptop needs service and you will be without it for a period of time.
