Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.96
Liaison Olivia Herron
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Miami University
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Susan Meikle
University News writer and editor
University Communications
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
F5 Recycled Laptop Program

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

A Miami program is working to chip away at the financial burden struggling students deal with on campus. The F5 Laptop Program (named for the F5 function key used to refresh a page) takes used university laptops and puts them into the hands of students for no out-of-pocket cost. Miami’s security team had to guarantee a process that completely sanitized and reimaged the laptops before handing them off.

“The next challenge was working with purchasing, establishing the licensing component and refurbishing them with a Miami notebook,” Ernsting said.

The Center connected with Brick & Ivy Campus Store and developed a way to distribute free access keys. The code unlocks needed software, and once installed, the refurbished laptops run identical to those purchased new. The laptops are for students to keep, and they’re eligible for free repairs and replacement if they stop working.

“Our goal was to hand students something that was usable right now,” Ernsting said. “We had our first laptops ready to give away in about six months.”

Since April 2018, 22 students have received laptops through the F5 program.

It’s a simple process. Students fill out an online form, then meet with staff in the Student Success Center to determine need. In implementing the program, Miami wanted to ensure that the financial benefit of a free laptop (valued at $200-$300) wouldn’t impact a student’s financial aid package. Staff found that it typically doesn’t have a negative impact on student aid.

Though technology access is crucial to a successful college experience, the program is about more than laptops. The requests serve as a way to route students toward other resources.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Waste
Diversity & Affordability

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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