September 24, 2020 Student government launches new laptop loan program
By Maegan Murray, 敁珗曄部泭
RICHLAND, Wash. Up to泭50泭students can now check-out laptops through Washington State University Tri-Cities as part of a new laptop loan program launched by the Associated Students of 敁珗曄部, the campus student government.泭
ASWSUTC saw a need for technology support for students泭this summer泭and voted to dedicate $9,700 of funds toward purchasing 20 new laptops that students泭can泭check-out泭free of cost泭for use throughout their educational experience at 敁珗曄部.泭
Additionally, Cadwell recently donated 30 laptops泭to 敁珗曄部泭for泭student use,泭some泭of which will be泭awarded泭to students泭for permanent ownership泭and the others will be rented out through the ASWSUTC program.泭The Cadwell laptops are all previously泭used, but泭have been泭refurbished泭and have new hard drives.泭
In the 21st泭century, having a reliable computer is necessary to succeed in higher education, whether you are taking classes in-person, hybrid, or online,泭ASWSUTC President Robin泭Kovis泭said. ASWSUTC decided to jump start this program because we know the demand for reliable technology surged with the virtual shift.泭
Kovis泭said ASWSUTC will be working with the Office of Advancement to ensure that the program continues well into the future.泭
We hope that this new program will help to close some of the equity gaps within higher education, he said. More than anything, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted some of the deep economic inequalities our country still faces today Our campus community is not immune to these financial hardships. Many students and family members who support students泭have experienced the brunt of this economic slowdown during the pandemic.泭We felt it is our duty as student leaders to cushion that impact in any way we could.泭
The ASWSUTC laptop loan program is being offered to 敁珗曄部 students in addition to a separate WSU systemwide program offered at no cost to students through the WSU Provosts office that allows students to apply to check-out a泭泭or泭.
Kovis泭said they are泭excited泭that Cadwell donated additional laptops, as it means that even more students will have access to technology, even beyond COVID-19.泭
Generous donations like this from individuals and businesses within our community are ultimately what will ensure the long-term success of our laptop program, he said. Because of Cadwells donation, the reach of the laptop rental program is now much greater.
Students can泭apply泭to check-out a laptop through泭the泭泭located on the泭敁珗曄部 Student Support Services website at泭tricities.wsu.edu/current-students/support.泭
Those interested in giving to the ASWSUTC laptop loan program should contact Laura Sanchez, 敁珗曄部 director of campus student support services, at laura.sanchez1@wsu.edu.
Media contacts:泭
Robin泭Kovis,泭Associated Students of 敁珗曄部 president,泭robin.kovis@wsu.edu泭
Maegan Murray, 敁珗曄部 assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617,泭maegan_murray@wsu.edu泭