Winona State University will be the first public university in the Midwest to offer a tablet and a laptop to all students starting in fall 2013.
WSU’s Digital Life and Learning Program will provide all new Winona State students, and students due for their two-year laptop exchange, an iPad mini or Android-based tablet along with their Mac or PC laptop. The mobile tablet device will be provided with no increase in current technology costs.
Following this schedule, all full-time Winona-campus students will have both tablets and laptops by fall 2014. WSU-Rochester students will have the opportunity to participate in the program, but it is not required.
Tablets boast many advantages. The devices are compact and lightweight with a long battery life. They run thousands of apps and adapt to different learning styles and lifestyles. Tablets promote collaboration and data sharing, spark hands-on interaction and exploration, and enhance media consumption. Tablets are also eco-friendly, requiring the use of less paper and providing an alternative to traditional print textbooks.
For more information visit http://www.winona.edu/it/tabletsatwsu.asp.
Are the iPads going to be available for second year post secondary students?
Hi Hunter,
During the first year of implementation–beginning Fall 2013–tablet devices (iPad Mini or Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7”) will be provided to approximately 50 percent of the student population. Students that are due for a rotation of technology will receive a tablet device in addition to a new laptop computer. Also, if a student is not due for a rotation of technology during the first year, but he is taking a class that has a requirement for tablet technology, a tablet device will be provided. By Fall 2014, all WSU students will have the opportunity to have a tablet device. If you have more questions, visit http://www.winona.edu/it/tabletsatwsu.asp or contact Dean Feller, Director of User Services, 507.457.2387, dfeller@winona.edu.
Thanks for your inquiry and have a great day!
Will we get to pick what color iPad we want? Black or white?
Hi Nicole,
As part of our efforts to keep costs down, all our iPad Minis feature the Black and Silver color scheme. For more info, visit http://www.winona.edu/it/tabletsatwsu.asp or contact Dean Feller, Director of User Services, 507.457.2387, dfeller@winona.edu.
Thanks for the question!
Since I got my Macbook pro last year, can I not get an Ipad until the following year when I exchange?
Hi Tony,
That is correct. Students that just received a refresh of technology (a new laptop) in the summer of 2012 will be eligible to receive an iPad and a laptop next summer (2014).
I plan on graduating in the fall of 2014 will i receive a tablet in addition to my laptop after graduation? or should i pick up a minor to graduate in the spring to receive one?
Hi Adam,
iPads will be included in the purchase option for graduates beginning spring 2015.
I’m an upcoming freshman at Winona and I received my ipad last thursday, and I think I got a defected one because the screen suddenly turned really dark, making things non-visible. I adjusted the brightness settings, turned auto-brightness on and off, rebooted by pressing home and sleep button, everything, and it’s still dark, and I didn’t damage it at all (only had it for 5 hours before it turned dark). What should I do?
Hi Janine,
Please call the Technical Support Center at 507-457-5240 so that we can make arrangements to get you a different iPad.
I’m going to be a graduate student this Fall. Can we get iPads too, or is it just for undergrads?
Hi Laurie,
Graduate students have the option of participating in the e-Warrior: Digital Life and Learning (DLL) program if they pay the same fee that applies to this program for undergraduate students. Graduate students that participate in this program will receive an iPad when they receive a new laptop. Any graduate student that is new to the DLL program this year will receive an iPad Mini in addition to a laptop.
For more info, visit http://www.winona.edu/it/tabletsatwsu.asp or contact Dean Feller, Director of User Services, 507.457.2387, dfeller@winona.edu.
I recieved my new laptop at the end of May, but did not recieve my tablet. I am graduating in the Spring of 2014. Is there a reason I didn’t recieve my tablet when getting my laptop?
Hi Jordyn,
We did not receive the new iPad Minis until mid-June, so students that received a new laptop in May and the first part of June will be contacted when school starts in the fall to pick up an iPad Mini. Please watch your email for an announcement. Thanks for your question!
Hello,
I have heard many different responses regarding whether or not the tablet will be included in the buy back option. I will be graduating WSU May 2016 and was wondering if there is a definite answer if the tablet will be able to be bought at this time?
Thank you.
Hi Rachel,
We negotiate annually with our leasing partner, Aspen Capital, and do our best to negotiate based on what will provide the best value to our students. The current Senior Buyout Bundle includes a purchase price for both Laptop and Tablet based a tiered level of participation: 4 years of participation = buyout cost of $50; 3 years of participation = buyout cost of $150; 2 years of participation = buyout cost of $275; 1 year of participation = buyout cost of $400. This tiered pricing will be in effect for spring 2015 graduates and is subject to change through the annual negotiation process. Please refer to http://www.winona.edu/it/laptopsale.asp for updated information as your graduation date approaches. Thank you for your question!