U Wisconsin Campus To Roll Out 14,000 Notebooks to Students

• By David Nagel
• 12/12/08

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is gearing up to deploy 14,000 notebook computers to students over the next four years. UW-Stout has contracted with HP to supply the machines, which will be delivered to students at a rate of about 3,500 per year based on enrollment forecasts.

The move is part of UW-Stout's e-Scholar program, which is designed to give students technologies and support that will help them succeed at the university. Aside from the laptop computer, the e-Scholar package provides student with "backpack, cords and accessories, software, course management systems, service and support, training, network storage, e-mail, Web page space, wireless and wired connectivity on campus, and multimedia classrooms," as the university described it.

"The digital culture at UW-Stout is emerging as a dynamic agent for changing the ways we learn," said Jane Henderson, e-Scholar program coordinator, in a statement released this week. "The e-Scholar program is included in the undergraduate tuition so that UW-Stout students are provided with the tools that they will need to be technology literate in this environment."

HP has had a six-year relationship with UW-Stout. Back in 2002, during the launch of the e-Scholar program, HP also provided laptop computers for students. The new four-year deal is worth $20 million. According to HP, it can be extended with two one-year renewal options. Aside from the laptops, the contract also calls for support for the annual deployments, which will be provided by Vanguard, a Wisconsin-based subcontractor.

"Our partnership with HP has been valuable for UW-Stout students and the entire campus," said Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen. "I am pleased that we are able continue that relationship."