Towson University: Mandatory Student Computers?

Towson University offers a range of technology services and resources for students, including the OTS Technology Support Desk team, which assists with general technology issues, laptop troubleshooting, malware removal, and printing. The university also provides recommendations for purchasing computers, laptops, and tablets, with special pricing from Dell and Apple. Additionally, Towson offers the EduCycle Computer Reconditioning Program, which extends the lifespan of computers to serve students' needs and provides service learning opportunities. While there is no required computer for students, the university ensures they have access to the necessary technology and support.

Towson University has an OTS Technology Support Desk to help students with technology issues

Towson University does not appear to have a required computer for students. However, the university's Office of Technology Services (OTS) provides technology services, information, training, resources, and support to students, faculty, and staff. OTS offers recommendations for purchasing computers, printers, and other technology to effectively work on the campus network.

The OTS Technology Support Desk helps students with general technology issues, including troubleshooting laptop or connection problems, malware removal, and wēpa printing. The desk is located on the main floor of Cook Library, in the Academic Commons. Students can walk in without an appointment during opening hours or make an in-person appointment.

The Support Desk can be contacted via phone, SMS, email, web/online chat, or in person. The contact details are as follows:

• Phone: 410-704-5151
• SMS: 410-324-7271
• Email: techsupport@towson.edu
• Web/Chat: towson.edu/techsupport
• In-person: Cook Library, main floor, Academic Commons

The OTS website also provides quick links to various technology service topics, such as launching and logging into TU email, printing options, managing NetID or Duo, Wi-Fi network information, Blackboard and Panopto, OTS Alerts, recommended software, applications for the computer lab, multimedia equipment loans, remote learning resources, LinkedIn Learning account, and support options.

The university has special pricing from Dell and Apple

Towson University has special pricing from Dell and Apple, which can be accessed through the university's online stores. This is a great way for students, faculty, and staff to get discounts on personal computers and ensure they are getting the best price.

The university also has a partnership with Dell's Employee Purchase Program (EPP), where you can get potential deals and discounts on Dell consumer computers, electronics, and accessories. Apple, on the other hand, requires that all university Mac purchases be made through the Towson Apple Education Store, which is managed by the Office of Technology Services (OTS).

When buying a personal computer, it is recommended to select one with Wi-Fi standard six or greater. The product description should include a number 6, 6e or 7 with the Wi-Fi symbol or 802.11 followed by "ac," "ax," or "be." This will ensure that your device is compatible with the university's network and current security requirements.

Additionally, the university has a three-year warranty for computers purchased through the special pricing program, as well as Computrace for all laptops and accidental damage coverage for Dell laptops. The OTS provides full support for recommended models, so it is best to stick to those options unless there is a compelling technical need for a different model.

For those who are environmentally conscious, Towson University also has the EduCycle Computer Reconditioning Program. This program extends the lifespan of computers to serve students' interests, provides service learning opportunities, and complements the university's Green Initiative. Through this program, students can gain hands-on experience by helping with computer upgrades and reconditioning.

The recommended minimum specifications for computers are listed on the Towson website

Towson University does not require students to have a specific computer, but it does provide recommendations for the minimum specifications of computers that will be able to meet the requirements of most academic work. It is important for students to have access to a computer that can effectively work with the campus network and products.

The website also provides a list of recommended Dell Windows desktop computers, Dell Windows laptops, Apple desktop computers, Apple laptops, Windows tablets, and Apple tablets. For example, the recommended Dell Windows desktop computer is the Optiplex Small Form Factor (Plus 7020), which includes an Intel Core i5 14500 vPro processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. The recommended Apple laptop is the 13-inch MacBook Air with an M3 chip, which features an Apple M3 chip with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, as well as a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports.

In addition to computers, the website also provides recommendations for other types of hardware, such as printers, smartphones, and accessories. Towson University has special pricing arrangements with Dell and Apple, and students, faculty, and staff can take advantage of educational discounts when buying personal computers. The university also has an EduCycle Computer Reconditioning Program that reconditions, upgrades, and redistributes university-owned computers that have reached the end of their instructional lifecycles.

The university has an EduCycle Computer Reconditioning Program to extend the lifespan of computers

Towson University has the EduCycle Computer Reconditioning Program, which refurbishes and redistributes university-owned computers that have reached the end of their instructional lifecycles. This program is guided by three main principles: extending the lifespan of computers to continue serving students' interests, providing service learning opportunities for participants through computer reconditioning, and complementing and expanding the university's Green Initiative.

The EduCycle program offers computers to various departments on campus and local public schools. On-campus uses include support for student projects, research, and study; special projects; collaboration spaces; student groups and organizations with on-campus offices; and general training and professional development. Computers provided by EduCycle are generally three to four years old, have a two-year life expectancy, and come with a new solid-state hard drive, keyboard, and mouse.

The program also accepts transfers of old or unneeded technology, such as specific models of Dell computers and tablets, and LCD monitors without badly scratched or damaged screens. Student volunteers can gain skills and hands-on experience by assisting with computer upgrades through EduCycle.

Due to the Windows 11 OS campus-wide computer replacement project, EduCycle has limited inventory and is unable to provide computers or monitors until at least October 2025.

Students get Microsoft 365, which includes Outlook, Word, Excel, etc

Towson University does not require students to have a specific computer, but the Office of Technology Services (OTS) provides recommendations for computers, laptops, and tablets to ensure they work well with the campus network and products. OTS also provides support for setting up computers and recommendations for other technology, such as speakers, headphones, printers, and smartphones.

Towson University students are provided with Microsoft 365, which includes Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and OneDrive. This means that as long as students are enrolled, they will have access to the latest versions of these applications with all the latest features, fixes, and security updates. They will also have access to 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft 365 can be installed on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones, and up to five devices can be used simultaneously. This flexibility allows students to work on their assignments and access their files from anywhere, providing convenience and the ability to work across different operating systems.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that ensures users always have access to modern productivity tools. It offers plans for personal, home, business, school, and non-profit use, providing robust desktop apps and cloud-connected features for real-time collaboration. With Microsoft 365, users benefit from perpetual technical support at no extra cost. The Microsoft 365 Family plan allows for sharing the subscription with up to five additional people, making it ideal for families or small teams.

Overall, Towson University students can take advantage of Microsoft 365 to enhance their productivity and collaboration, both on campus and remotely. The suite of applications and cloud storage provided by Microsoft 365 empowers students to create, edit, and store their work efficiently, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in their academic endeavours.

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