Device Loan Scheme

For Academic year 21/22, the college will be offering a loan scheme for students that do not have access to suitable IT devices at home. We expect to begin issuing devices from next week. Please review all of the information below before requesting a device.

Alternative Avenues for Equipment

Firstly, where possible, students should be encouraged to source their own equipment. Students (and staff too!) can avail of discounts on Hardware & Software from big IT vendors. Most sites simply require an active ‘@serc.ac.uk‘ email address to get from 5-50% discounts of equipment & services. Some examples are below:

• Apple Store for Education – Normally a 10% discount
• Microsoft Student Offers – Between 5-10% discount of PC’s & Software
• Dell Student Discounts – Between 5-25% on Desktops, Laptops & Monitors
• UNiDAYS – Discount portal for Desktops, Laptops, Software and other stuff. Discounts available from to 5-50%

What Equipment Is Available

Ipads

We currently have a stock of 400 iPads. These devices are what we consider ‘Entry Level’ devices. There are suitable for Microsoft Teams calls, Microsoft Office based tasks such as Word, PowerPoint & Excel and general Internet Browsing. They have a 10.2” screen, are light, portable and also come with front & rear facing cameras, covers and a Bluetooth Keyboards. Additionally, there may be iPad apps that may also be relevant to specific disciplines. These can be made available on request. We believe this would be best suited for L0-L3 students who do not need access to any specialist software beyond creating assignments, Teams calls and web browsing.

Laptops

We currently have a stock of 400 Laptops. These devices are what we consider ‘Power User’ devices. There are suitable for most workloads, including Microsoft Teams calls, Microsoft Office based tasks such as Word, PowerPoint & Excel and general Internet Browsing. The can also be used to provide specialist software such as Visual Studio, AutoCAD, Adobe Products etc. They have a 15” screen, weight approx 1.8kg, portable and also come with front facing camera. The are supplied with a rucksack. We believe this would be best suited for L3-L5 students who do not need access to any specialist software beyond creating assignments, Teams calls and web browsing.

iMacs (Mid October Onwards)

We expect to have a small number of Apple iMac devices for loan to students in the School of Performing are. This will consist of reconditioned stock that was replaced this academic year. More information will follow on this in the near future.

Desktop PC’s & Monitors

Whilst we don’t wish to issue this type of device, this will become an overflow when other stock is exhausted.

Software

All devices supplied paintballed with Microsoft Teams/Microsoft Office and the Microsoft Edge Web Browser & Antivirus Software. Additional software will be made available if the licencing terms of the software allow us to do so. Staff & Students can request that software be made available via the college ServiceDesk or discussing the matter with the Head of Desktop Services (nnewell@serc.ac.uk). Some software will be made available on a self service basis. Students will also use the ‘Company Portal’ app which is preinstalled on the computer to install additional software where licencing agreements allow.

Management & Usage

The devices will be enrolled and monitored with college security systems and misuse may result in the removal of the device from the student. In addition, we will me monitoring usage, with unused or poorly used devices being recalled. Finally, any device that has been prepared for collection, but has not been picked up in 7 days, will have it’s request cancelled and the device will be returned to the pool for the benefit of other students. The student will need to re-request a device via their Course Co-ordinator.

Eligibility

Before getting into the process of requesting devices, I would ask that you consider the following points before submitting a loan:

• The Loans scheme is targeted at Full-Time Students. However, consideration will also be given to requests for substantive Part-Time courses.
• If the student still has outstanding equipment from 20/21, requests will not be processed until the device is returned.
• Does the student have internet access at home?
  -If not, the loan scheme will be of no use.
• Does the student own or have sufficient access to a PC/Mac/Laptop, iPad or Android Device at home?
  -The student can install Teams & Microsoft Office for Free (More Info Here)
  -Students can also use the College Remote Apps & VDI services, even on tablet devices (More Info Here)

Making a Request

Any academic member of staff or school support can request a device on behalf of student. However, requests should be primarily from staff in a Course Co-ordinator role.

1. Course Co-ordinators should then make a request for each student via ServiceDesk App using the following Request Form or by navigating to Faults/Work Requests > Request Work > Request IT Student Equipment Loan. 
2. After the request has been submitted, the student will receive an email asking them to agree to Terms and Conditions. The student must agree to Terms and Conditions as a pre-requisite to the loan process proceeding.
3. Once the student has agreed to the Terms and Conditions, a work request will be generated in the Service Desk for the attention of ITS Department.
4. ITS will pick-up the request and prepare the device for the student.
5. When the device is ready, ITS will contact the student and ask them to pick-up the device. This communication will be done via student email and Microsoft Teams.
6. If the device has not been picked up in 7 days, it will have it’s request cancelled and the process will need to begin again.

Failure to Return/Loss/Theft & Damage

The college will treat all instances of Loss, Theft & Damage on a case by case basis. Students may be held liable for the value of their device in the event of negligent behaviour. Failure to return equipment when requested may result the disablement of accounts, the withholding of qualification and further measures to recover the device or the value of the device.