Netbook Loaning

 
The Laptop Loaner program offers laptops to students whose personal computers are being repaired for an extended period of time by Yale ITS. When a student leaves his or her computer with ITS, ITS will determine whether he or she is eligible for a loaner laptop. The loaner laptop, a Dell Latitude 13, comes preloaded with basic software, including Microsoft Office, and students are able to install other programs. Laptops are wiped between uses.

See the steps below about obtaining a loaner netbook:

1. A student comes in to the Technology Troubleshooting Office (TTO) in the basement of Bass Library with a computer problem. The student techs on duty look it over, and either fix it right then and there (which happens more often than you’d think), or determine that it needs to go to their main office, (called the “io”) for further diagnostics, etc.

1a. Occasionally, a student will request a loaner when turning in their computer at the TTO.

2. If the problem is severe enough—the bright-line rule is about five days, give or take, depending on how many loaners are checked out—the student techs will suggest a loaner to the student, if they haven’t requested it already.

3. Student techs ask their managers, who are Yale alumni (former STs) and who are now full time employees, to approve the loaner. In 99% of cases, it is approved, as long as there is a free loaner.

4. Student techs prep the loaner in the io and transfer it to the TTO, where the student picks it up. They sign a contract releasing the student techs from liability, assuming responsibility for it, etc.

5. Eventually, the student returns the loaner and gets their fixed computer back.

In order to receive a loaner you must be an undergraduate of Yale College, your computer must be likely to not be fixed for at least one business week (5 days), and the student techs must have your computer in custody (as collateral, basically). Student techs may recall a loaner at any time, and students are responsible for any damage.

For any exceptions to our requirements, YCC must agree to an exemption (i.e. a loaner while a student’s computer is sent in for warranty service and isn’t with us) for a loaner to be loaned to a student if the above conditions cannot be met.

For more information on printer and hardware repair visit the ITS website or contact the ITS help desk at (203) 432-5242.

Questions about the netbook loaner program may be sent to the YCC Executive Board.