Computers

In the fall of 2008, Rochester College became the first college in the state of Michigan to offer all undergraduate incoming freshmen an Apple MacBook absolutely free. Undergraduate students and transfers who enter Rochester College with 29 or fewer credit hours are eligible to receive the free MacBook Pro or an iPad, as long as they are admitted by May 31st for the following fall semester, or by November 30th for the following spring semester. Students who complete Rochester College’s Early College program may enter Rochester College with 89 credit hours and still be eligible, so long as they are admitted by the deadline.

Students who are dual-enrolled while in high school may enter Rochester College with 44 credit hours and still be eligible, so long as they are admitted by the deadline.

One goal of the college is to be sure that students are involved with the latest technology during their studies. Educational technology has developed over the years, and Rochester College is on course with the more progressive colleges in the country. One of the college’s primary educational technology goals has been achieved, creating a campus-wide wireless environment that provides the possibilities for tablet/laptop use in classrooms, library, grounds, and virtually anywhere. As the technology becomes more tailored for faculty and student interaction, Rochester College will continue to enhance the tablet/laptop program.

It is important for students to understand that the MacBook Pro or iPad is their device. The warranty will be in their name. Students will not have to return it when they graduate. Each student will be required to sign an iPad/MacBook Pro program contract. If the student remains enrolled full-time at Rochester College for at least 6 full consecutive semesters (excluding summer semesters) for a MacBook and 4 full consecutive semesters (excluding summer semesters) for an iPad, no charge will be made for the MacBook Pro/iPad. If the student leaves before 6 consecutive full-time semesters (4 for the iPad), the student will pay a pro-rated charge for the MacBook Pro/iPad.

For the 2017-2018 academic year, an educational academic technology plan is potentially being formed that will benefit and support students throughout their degree completion. The piece of technology that is offered to students will be integrated into the classroom and utilized throughout the academic year.

Laptop Policy

Student Qualifications:

1. A student must be new to Rochester College.
2. A student must be admitted to Rochester College by May 31 for the following fall semester, or November 30 for the following spring semester.
3. A student must not have 30 or more transfer credits. Students who complete Rochester College’s Early College program may enter Rochester College with 89 credit hours and still be eligible, and students who dual-enrolled while in high school may enter Rochester College with 44 credit hours and still be eligible.
4. A student must be full-time*.

Student Laptop Charges:

A student will be charged the laptop charge (based on their individual contracts) when one or more of the following occurs on their student account:

1. They leave Rochester College before completing 6 consecutive semesters (4 consecutive semesters for iPad) as a full time student**
2. They register as a part-time student

**Summer semesters are not included in the formula for 6 consecutive semesters as a full -time student.

Student Financial Service Advisers will always go by the attempted transcript hours when determining if the student is full time and when determining the pro-rated amount to charge the student account.

Laptop holds:

If a student requests a transcript from Academic Services and s/he has a “Laptop hold,” Student Financial Services “assumes” the student will not be returning for the next semester and will complete the following steps:

1. Charge the laptop fee amount based on the individual student contracts.
2. Transcripts and registrations will be held until all balances are paid in full.

Students may appeal in writing to the director of Student Financial Services with any extenuating circumstances surrounding the transcript request (appeals may be sent to sfs@rc.edu).