Academic Computing Initiative

St. John's University is pleased to have undertaken the Academic Computing Initiative, which provides portable computing devices (currently laptop computers) to eligible students for use during their studies at the University.

Students eligible to participate in the Academic Computing Initiative will receive a portable computing device ("Computer").  The Computer remains the property of the University until the student graduates from an the University program with 120 or more credits, after which time title and certain licenses will be transferred to the student without any warranty, including any and all implied warranties, provided that s/he has met all financial responsibilities to the University. After title is transferred, the University will have no responsibility for the Computer whatsoever, including with respect to warranties, support, software, repairs or disposal.

Students are required to return the Computer to the University if their enrollment at the University is terminated either by them or by the University prior to graduation, or upon their graduation from a two-year undergraduate program if they do not then enroll in a bachelor's or equivalent program. Students also must return the Computer upon informing the University of their intention to withdraw from all classes or if they breach any material term of this Academic Computing Initiative policy, although in these situations a Computer will be returned to students when they re-register for 12 or more credits for a subsequent Fall or Spring semester and meets their financial responsibilities for such credits, or cure their breach of this policy, whichever is applicable. In addition, the University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to require the immediate return of the Computer if the student withdraws to less than 12 credits in a current semester or enroll for less than 12 credits in a subsequent semester. If the student does not return the Computer within three business days after any of the above triggering events, the University will put a hold on the student's record (which will prevent future registration with the University and the release of transcripts), and place a $1,500 charge on the student's University account. The hold and charge will be removed when the Computer is returned to the University in good working condition. 

Students are responsible for the care of the Computer. The University may obtain property insurance for the Computer, but may choose not to do so or not to continue such insurance in the future, and the student accepts the risk that the Computer may not be insured to protect the student's interests. Whether or not insurance coverage is in effect, the student will be responsible for any loss, theft or damage to the Computer, including replacement costs. If insurance is in effect, and the loss, theft or damage is covered, the student will be responsible only for the deductible, which is subject to change. The deductible at the time of this printing is $250 for damage, $500 for the first loss or theft, and $1000 for the second loss or theft. This deductible has to be paid in full prior to issuing a replacement Computer.

If the Computer is lost or stolen, the student is required to immediately report it the Department of Public Safety and comply with their procedures, including filing an official report with the appropriate police department. Students may not report a Computer lost or stolen pursuant to this policy subsequent to their completion of any semester unless they re-enroll for, and satisfy their financial commitments for, the following semester, and thus such Computers will be considered non-returned and the student's account will be charged $1,500. If the Computer is damaged or malfunctioning, the student must bring the Computer to the Information Technology Department Repair Shop for assessment and/or repair. The University will attempt to provide the student with a temporary replacement Computer during the repair process, the terms and conditions for the use of which are identical to those set forth in this policy, except that the loaned Computer must be returned to the University immediately upon the University's written request for such return; a $20 per day charge will be assessed for each day after the third business day following the University's request for return. The University shall take all reasonable efforts to enforce any manufacturer's warranty, provided that the University shall not be obligated to commence or resort to any litigation to enforce such warranty. If a student's Computer is stolen, lost or damaged beyond repair, the student will receive a functionally equivalent replacement, provided that all of the student's financial obligations under this policy are met; students are entitled to only 2 replacements.

Students agree to the following terms and conditions for participating in the Academic Computing Initiative:

  • Upon the request of the University's Information Technology Department, the student agrees to deliver the Computer to that department on the date specified to verify inventory/asset information; failure to do so will result in a fine of $50. 
  • The student agrees to adhere to all of the provisions of this Computer and Network Use Policy, and otherwise to use the Computer in accordance with the University policies and procedures.
  • The Student agrees to comply with all applicable laws, including copyright and intellectual property laws pertaining to the use of software and the downloading of files from the Internet.
  • The student agrees that it is his/her responsibility to regularly backup all data from the Computer onto an alternative storage media, including prior to bringing the Computer for repair.
  • The student agrees not to assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Computer, or any interest therein, or lend the Computer or otherwise permit it to be possessed or used by anyone.
  • The student agrees not to remove or alter any identification labels, plaques, tags or mechanisms, or security devices, displayed or installed on the Computer; doing so will result in a fine of $100.
  • The student agrees not to make any alterations in, make improvements to, or add attachments, peripherals or hardware to, the Computer, other than attaching peripherals to established ports.
  • The student agrees not to install on the Computer or otherwise use software for which you have no license.
  • The student agrees not to alter, disable or otherwise interfere with the anti-virus software pre-loaded on the Computer.
  • The University has arranged for certain software updates, including for anti-virus software, to be downloaded to your Computer through the University network. The student agrees that when such updates are available, the student will permit them to be downloaded. 
  • The student agrees not to install any voice over IP software on the Computer.
  • The student agrees that the Information Technology Department will be the sole determiner of whether you have breached any of these conditions, or any other material term of this Academic Computing Initiative policy. Any such breach will permit the University, at its sole discretion, to terminate the student's participation in the Academic Computing Initiative program, in which case the student agrees to immediately return the Computer to the Information Technology Department.

The University is not responsible for any losses, injuries, damages, claims, and expenses (including legal expenses), incurred by the student caused by the transportation, possession, ownership, maintenance, and use of the Computer. The student agrees to indemnify and hold the University harmless against any claims for such losses, injuries, damages, claims and expenses. This indemnity shall survive the expiration of this policy.