Student Computer Ownership:
A New Statement of Expectation

By Donna Justice

 
By now, every college student in America knows that computers are a fact of life. In just a few short years, their use has evolved far beyond word processing and spreadsheet creation. For instance, virtually every course now requires Internet access, with email and the Web playing a large role in student-faculty communications and academic research.

In recognition of the increasingly important role of computers in instruction, UC Davis recently adopted a statement of expectation for student computer ownership, effective Fall 2001.

The statement of expectation, proposed and developed by the Academic Computing Coordinating Council (AC4) with input from the Academic Senate, states that beginning in Fall 2001 "every entering undergraduate student will be expected to own a computer that meets certain minimum performance standards and that can connect effectively to the Internet." The full statement, which will be printed in the 2000-2002 General Catalog, is available at http://ac4.ucdavis.edu/.

No specific hardware or software will be required, but the campus Recommended Solutions for Student Computer Purchases (http://it.ucdavis.edu/Solutions/studpurc.html) will be updated to reflect a minimum set of functional requirements student computers must meet to be used effectively at UC Davis. Specific majors may stipulate performance expectations greater than the campus minimum standards.

"Student ownership of computers is essential for two main reasons," says Harry Matthews, Chair of the AC4 and Professor, Biochemistry. "First, computer ownership and 'literacy' gives each student access to the information and communication opportunities that are becoming essential both to being a responsible and informed citizen and to performing well in a career. Second, computer ownership levels the playing field for all students and allows instructors to choose the best medium for delivering course materials, secure in the knowledge that materials supplied or assignments required online are accessible to all our students."

Though students are not being asked to meet this expectation until Fall 2001, John Bruno, Vice Provost--Information and Educational Technology, in collaboration with Janet Hamilton, Vice Chancellor--Administration, and Carol Wall, Vice Chancellor--Student Affairs, will begin developing communications and technical support plans this summer, beginning with presentations at Summer Advising for entering students.