Laptop Policy-Justification

Computers now are an integral tool to every professional and provide assistance with a myriad of everyday tasks including communication, advanced study and analysis tools.
  • Prior to the implementation of the laptop policy, over 85% of our students enter the college with computers. This policy's goal is to increase the availability of this essential technology to every student.
  • In addition, over 50% of the colleges in the ACSA have laptop policies that start with 1st year students.
  • Today's students need a laptop as an an integral tool to their learning experience and will utilize the laptop even if they change majors.
  • As a requirement of the College, the laptop can be included in available financial aid and loan programs.

Laptop Requirement

Students with a major in the College of Architecture are required to have a laptop computer. Laptop technologies are used to enhance the learning experience, and using a computer should be second nature to all of our students.

Students enrolled at the College of Architecture prior to the Fall 2006 semester are not required to purchase a laptop, but are encouraged to do so.

Support Infrastructure

Information Technology and the College of Architecture have partnered to provide a support infrastructure for the laptop policy. This includes wireless coverage, repair services, and network file storage.

Wireless
Both College of Architecture buildings (Gould Hall and Carnegie Hall) have wireless coverage throughout. To connect, simply choose the network called “ANY”. If your laptop is not equipped with a wireless card, one may be purchased for $25 in the Felgar Hall Service Center Room 300.
Click here to see the campus wireless map and IT Service Center locations

Repair Services
The IT Service Center in Gould Hall, room 264 provides College of Architecture students support for all their computing needs. The IT Service Center is a Dell and Apple certified warranty repair center, but repairs all brands of computers. This service is free of charge, but students must pay for any parts or additional software required. There are also two other IT Service Centers on campus, located in Felgar Hall room 300 and Couch Tower room W146. Our Couch location is open 24 hours for your convenience.

Network Storage
Network storage space is provided for students to store homework, project or other files. This space is automatically mapped as U:\ in the College of Architecture computer labs. For assistance connecting to the U:\ drive from home or wireless, contact the IT Service Desk at 325-HELP, visit Gould Hall 264, or log on to http://support.ou.edu. Detailed instructions for connecting at home are available at http://lab.coa.ou.edu/Udrive.php . The following quotas are automatically set and cannot be changed.
1st Year = 250mb
2nd Year = 500mb
3rd Year = 1250mb
4th & 5th Year = 2000mb
Graduate = 2500mb

Virtual Lab
Due to the number and expense of specialized architecture applications, we have created the Virtual Lab. The Virtual Lab allows access of OU and College of Architecture software remotely through student laptops or home computers. To access this feature from off campus, students need a high speed connection (Cable or DSL) and the University VPN software available at http://itstore.ou.edu.
To access to the Virtual Lab, go to http://lab.coa.ou.edu/VL.php using Internet Explorer.

To view frequently Asked questions about the Virtual Lab, go to http://lab.coa.ou.edu/VLHelpIndex.php

 

Financial Aid help

To help aid in the purchase of a new laptop, students may apply for the Robert B. Lewis Computer Loan at http://financialaid.ou.edu/forms/2007-2008/Inst_Loan_Appl.pdf.

Students can also get up to a 12% discount by purchasing a Dell laptop at itstore.ou.edu or www.dell.com/ou .


Minimum Laptop Functional Requirement 

  1. Ability to send and receive email including attachments
  2. Ability to browse the network and download files
  3. Ability to read CDROM's and install software from them
  4. Ability to protect against network and e-mail based viruses/worms (anti-virus applications, personal firewalls, etc.). The University provides Symantec Anti virus for all OU faculty, staff and students. It is available for download at http://itstore.ou.edu
  5. Ability to read and write documents in Microsoft Office format (University students are eligible to purchase Microsoft Office at a significant discount at itstore.ou.edu or the university bookstore. Other office suites such as Open Office can read and write in the proper format and are available at no cost.)

Suggested Laptop Specifications

Recommended
Minimum
2Ghz Core 2 Duo processor 1.6Ghz processor
2 GB Ram 1 GB Ram
100 GB HDD 60 GB HDD
DVD-R CD-R/W
128 MB Video card 64 MB Video Card
802.11G Wireless 802.11B Wireless
USB 2.0 Port USB 2.0 Port
PCMCIA/ExpressCard Slot PCMCIA/ExpressCard Slot
Wired Ethernet Connection Wired Ethernet Connection
16 Bit Sound 16 Bit Sound
Windows XP Professional* Windows XP Home*
Office 2007 Office 2003
4 year Warranty 3 year Warranty
Security lock/cable Security lock/cable

* What about Vista?

Discounted Dell laptops meeting the recommended and minimum standard are available at itstore.ou.edu or www.dell.com/ou

 

Architecture Guidelines

Students in the Division of Architecture use laptops starting in the freshman year for an array of daily functions that include email, internet research and paper writing. The use of computers in studio courses increases in upper year levels with applications such as desktop publishing, CAD, rendering and animation and will have required use of all those entering the 3rd year studio. Considering the five year length of the architecture degree, it is suggested that students enter the program with a minimally equipped laptop with the expectation of upgrading to a more advanced model as usage increases in the upper level studios. That expectation would parallel the normal life span of a laptop and allow for increased speed when usage is most intense.

Construction Science guidelines

Laptops are required first day of class for incoming freshmen.


Interior Design guidelines

Interior Design Students will be required to bring their laptops to studio at the beginning of their 2nd year.


Landscape Architecture guidelines

Coming soon.



Regional and City Planning guidelines

Coming soon.