Miami University
IN-26: Innovation C

A Miami program is working to chip away at the financial burden struggling students deal with on campus. The F5 Laptop Program (named for the F5 function key used to refresh a page) takes used university laptops and puts them into the hands of students for no out-of-pocket cost. Miami’s security team had to guarantee a process that completely sanitized and reimaged the laptops before handing them off. “The next challenge was working with purchasing, establishing the licensing component and refurbishing them with a Miami notebook,” Ernsting said. The Center connected with Brick & Ivy Campus Store and developed a way to distribute free access keys. The code unlocks needed software, and once installed, the refurbished laptops run identical to those purchased new. The laptops are for students to keep, and they’re eligible for free repairs and replacement if they stop working. “Our goal was to hand students something that was usable right now,” Ernsting said. “We had our first laptops ready to give away in about six months.” Since April 2018, 22 students have received laptops through the F5 program. It’s a simple process. Students fill out an online form, then meet with staff in the Student Success Center to determine need. In implementing the program, Miami wanted to ensure that the financial benefit of a free laptop (valued at $200-$300) wouldn’t impact a student’s financial aid package. Staff found that it typically doesn’t have a negative impact on student aid. Though technology access is crucial to a successful college experience, the program is about more than laptops. The requests serve as a way to route students toward other resources.