A University of Denver senior has made it through almost four years without ever bringing her laptop onto the campus, despite a requirement implemented by the university five years ago that all students must have a laptop.

Deza Rae Choate, a political science major, was a freshman when the Laptop Learning Initiative went into effect. Choate said she had never owned a laptop before college, although she did purchase one in preparation for college courses.

“I bought one, but I have never really used it,” Choate said.

Jessica Sullivan, a junior who originally majored in business but has since switched to economics, has had a similar experience.

“I haven’t really used it yet in an economics class,” Sullivan said. “I think also that you can definitely get by without one.”

DU’s Undergraduate Bulletin for 2003-2005 addresses the “Laptop Learning” requirement for students on page two: “The requirement that students bring laptop computers to campus enables them to take full advantage of this extended learning environment.”

The university has a special Web site at www.du.edu/laptops/2003specs, run by the University Technology Services which lists specific guidelines for student laptops.

“Our computers have to meet the minimum specifications that the University Technology Services specifies,” said Michael Martinez, the Computer Center coordinator at the DU Bookstore, about the laptop sales. Some departments and courses of study may require the students’ laptops to be more heavily equipped than normal, according to Martinez.

“Departments such as art, school of law, and Daniels College of Business may have additional specifications to meet because of the more technical matters they address.”

DU’s Vice Chancellor for Technology, Ken Stafford, responded via e-mail with his take on laptop use in different programs of study.

“Some majors may not utilize the computer to the extent others do, but I believe that is an individual faculty pedagogical decision and not solely because of a particular major,” said Stafford. “Students take courses from many different departments during their time at DU, not from just their major department.”

As far as the laptop requirement itself, Stafford sees it as a benefit for students.

“I believe the laptop requirement is extremely worthwhile,” said Stafford. “I have had conversations with hundreds of students who think it is very beneficial and an important part of the learning process. The volume and types of information transmitted through the DU network shows the depth and breadth of knowledge being sought.”

Martinez commented that it has been an adaptation process for both faculty and students.

“There’s a big learning curve in this,” Martinez said. “It’s fine for Tech Services to say we want to be a mobile, computing campus, and we want students to use their laptops here. It’s another thing to say, ‘Faculty, staff, you do the same thing.'”

The bookstore offers laptops for purchase to students at affordable prices compared to other mainstream vendors, according to Martinez. “They’re always cheaper than Best Buy,” he said.

Referring to the laptop specifications for DU, Martinez also warned that purchasing a system elsewhere may not be the best course. “Let’s say you bought one there, and you’re thinking it’s cheaper than here … it probably isn’t,” he said.

Some students who also discovered they did not use their laptops still see the benefits of owning one. Freshman Marissa Johnson said about her fall quarter classes, “I’ve never had to use it – ever – in class.” Johnson also said, “The cool thing about a laptop is that I can do my homework in bed so I can keep my toes warm.”