New Laptop and New Computing Strategy for Full-time Faculty

The Division of Information Technology is excited to announce that we are continuing to refresh full-time faculty laptops that are more than three years old with new laptops that are more powerful than your existing laptop/desktop.

You will continue to have a choice between a Mac or PC laptop during this upgrade. You will receive an email in late May or June to pick up your new laptop.  

In addition, we are implementing a new computing strategy that creates mobile capabilities and provides flexibility to work virtually during the pandemic and when we return to the campus.  Because the upgraded laptops are more powerful than your current desktop, and because it is cost-effective to have a single computing approach, we are providing an option to replace your desktop with a docking station.  A docking station consists of a monitor(s), keyboard, webcam, and mouse that directly connects to your laptop.  The docking station will utilize your current desktop monitor(s) for PC users, or, for Mac users, we will provide a new monitor. This laptop with docking station should meet all of your needs whether you are using the laptop in your office, in the classroom, or when you’re away from campus. (NOTE: The use of desktops for research computing will continue to be supported.)

You will have the choice of replacing your desktop with a docking station anytime. You may do this when you receive the email announcing this program, or you may wait until a later time.  If you currently use a desktop and do not want to switch to a laptop and docking station at this time, you are welcome to continue to use your desktop until it is no longer functioning (usually around 5-6 years). Once your desktop needs to be replaced, it will need to be replaced by a laptop. We will no longer be providing both desktops and laptops to faculty in the future.

Faculty IT Open Forum Recording