By STACEY CHARLESWORTH
stacey@du2.byu.edu
Waiting in line to use a campus computer or lugging their own to school won't be such a hassle for many freshman this year thanks to a new computer program established by Information Technology Services.
On-campus residents can now check out refurbished computers for $18.50 per month through IT Services' Student Computer Checkout program, started last Spring Term. In addition to a computer, students also receive Internet and intranet access.
The computers checked out to students range from about two to 10 years old and are machines that have been replaced by others in departments and computer labs all across campus, said Jacey Davis, public relations assistant for IT Services. Davis said the computers are not judged by their year but by their power and the programs installed on them.
Darryl Mastin, manager of the program, said that after a machine is retired, IT Services' technicians inspect it to ensure it works properly and is loaded with the programs BYU has rights to distribute.
Davis said about 600 computers have been checked out, and there is a list of about 115 students waiting to rent one. Every day more computers are being refurbished, though, so it is likely that these students will be able to rent one, she said.
But they may have to wait in a very long line to do so.
'There was a long line, but I was still able to get one of the best computers offered,' said Marc Monson, 18, a freshman from Lakewood, Colo., majoring in philosophy.
Monson said that before he came to school, he received an informational packet from IT Services that introduced him to the Student Computer Checkout program.
'I thought I'd have to buy a computer from the add board in the Wilk,' Monson said.
But he said he was relieved to discover that he could rent a computer, instead, for a very reasonable price.
Students living on campus who want to rent a computer of their own should go to the old UVSC building west of Helaman Halls, Davis said. The computers will not be sold to students, only rented, she said.
IT Services is hosting free instructional seminars until September 11 for students who need help with installation and connection to BYU's intranet.
Students who own computers, laptops and BYU-refurbished computers are welcome to attend the seminars, which will be held in the on-campus residential halls, Davis said.
In addition to the seminars, IT Services also has residential computing consultants who can answer students' questions, Davis said.
For a listing of seminar dates and times, visit IT Services' Web site at http://itservices.byu.edu.