Before their first semester at NMU, the class of 2015 was under the impression that they would receive a new laptop every two years. They have recently found out that the promises made to them by the university to upgrade their laptops may never happen.

(Katie Cybulski/NW)
Senior computer science major Jeremy Ostergaard recently sent out an email to fellow class members regarding the issue.
“NMU had not let seniors clearly know that they would be keeping their laptops for a fourth year,” Ostergaard said, “I wanted to raise awareness about this change and the reasons behind it.”
For NMU students, a laptop is included in tuition, which for some, lessens the burden of the already steep college price tag. According to www.nmu.edu/tuition, undergraduate resident students are paying $4,630 per semester. Senior criminal justice major Jenna Hoppes said she looked forward to the NMU laptop initiative that promised a new computer every two years.
“I didn’t have the stress of finding and buying a laptop as a freshman,” Hoppes said.
Students who have two or fewer semesters left at NMU received an email from the director of micro repair, Scott Krah, in early May. It said the students were no longer eligible to upgrade their laptops, despite what the contract might have stated. There was an alternative available to students. Instead of trading in their existing model, they were given the option to keep their computer and upon graduation, buy it back for $50 or turn it in.
According to Krah, this new procedure is the result of a partnership between NMU and Lenovo, the company that has a computer contract with the university. Students are able to bypass the normal process of removing their files from the computer before turning it in if they decided to pay the fee and keep their computer.
As explained in the email from Krah, upon graduation, students will be sent information on how to finalize the purchase of their ThinkPad computers. It includes instructions to bring their computers to NMU micro repair to have the NMU-licensed software removed.
Hoppes said she will not be buying her current computer due to a lack of updated software on her machine right now.
“I was pretty upset when I received the email about not being able to get another computer, after it was supposed to be two years, switched to three, and I have to keep it for all four years,” Hoppes said.
Krah said in the email that NMU will provide this new offer because the university will be spending this academic year doing an intensive review of the entire technology program in order to see what changes should be made in the future.
The email that some students received said the goal of this process is to keep only enough end-of-lease models to do repairs, which would allow as much flexibility as possible to transition to new types of computers in the future.
This new change, that came suddenly and unexpectedly for most, has other students wondering what their computer future looks like.
“It’s scary not knowing what options will be available to me next year,” Danielle Helios, junior social work major, said. “I already see issues with my computer and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford a new computer, especially when we are guaranteed a computer and an upgrade.”
Making the decision to move to new mobile computing devices is up to the recommendation a review committee will make to university administrators. Senior athletic training major Jamie Elam said she feels like she is being cheated out of getting a new computer, since it is part of tuition to get an up-to-date laptop.
“I think Northern needs to think of a different way of who gets new laptops,” said Elam.
Kimberly • Aug 29, 2014 at 3:52 am
I started NMU Winter Semester of 2013, and my 2 YR degree is turning into more like 3 yrs. due to a degree change. When I got that nearly bare bones laptop (no CD-rom/DVD-drive) it kinda made me sick to know how much I am paying every semester for that laptop and the ability to connect to WIMAX. However, what stopped me from buying my own and just placing the one NMU gave me in storage until I had to turn it in… was not only was I going into debt for that laptop, but I was told they switch them out for newer model once every 2 years. And knowing how much of a beating a laptop takes, in the end it didn’t sound too bad. I have had downloading and program issues with this laptop since I started, and now at 2 yrs as of Jan 2015 and I am already having a little trouble with the battery and some of the keys. I also am having a little trouble with getting newer software like Microsoft Office 2013 to work on it without issue. Sometimes it will LOCK UP and sometimes WIMAX won’t work. Have had it checked a few times, but am told it is fine … the scan they run on it shows no issues. Grrr… Well… I just recently bought a nice ASUS laptop that’s a 17.3 inch screen, 1 T, 8 GB, 811 N network wireless card… etc.. I bought it brand new from Tiger Direct and paid under $500 for it. It has a CD DVD drive that also BURNS cd’s and DVDs. It also has windows 8.1. So, I did some Math… what we pay for a laptop and WImax use with NMU compared to buying your own laptop and your own internet… Cost wise.. if I could OPT out of NMU’s laptop… I would be saving more having my own laptop and internet then dealing with NMU. If NMU wants to re-nig on their agreement of every 2 years then FINE… then give every student the option to take a laptop and be charged for it… or to pass on it and NOT be charged for itl
Jacob • Aug 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm
I was charged by NMU the $385 “TLC Fee” which is the cost of leasing out the new laptop, I had never received an email about not being able to get a new one, and also never received an email saying I should pick one up. Well when I got there the worker told me I was not allowed to have a new one. I politely told her the situation and she said she wasnt able to do anything. After talking to her manager he said he could “put me into the Twist program” but nothing else. So watch your back students. NMU is up to some shady shit
Josh Johnson, BS '04 • Aug 28, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I think it’s time for NMU to reevaluate the merits of its laptop initiative. It was novel when launched in 2000, prior to the arrival of smartphones, tablets, WiFi, social media and more affordable alternatives to a laptop. Times have changed and most students already have their own Web-enabled devices. If the university is going to adversely change its laptop replacement cycle, students should press for ways to opt out. We’re all already connected. It’s time to place emphasis on something else.
Justin • Aug 28, 2014 at 4:36 pm
I recently graduated in May of 2014.
I came to NMU in 2012 and was told repeatedly that I would have the opportunity to purchase my Macbook when I graduated. Even staff and NMU’s website stated that laptops were up for sale after 2 years.
To my surprise, after 2 years, they changed their lease to 3 years without notifying anyone.
Really sucked that I was one of the only, if not the only student unable to purchase their Macbook Pro.
Natalie • Aug 28, 2014 at 2:47 pm
I’m a 5th year student and I received an email saying I was up for a 2012 Macbook pro. When I received the laptop there were so many scratches and dents in it from my previous laptop. I am extremely unhappy! How is it fair that I hand in a computer in good condition for one that looks like knives were dropped on it. I can’t help but thing the previous owner of this laptop got a nice one. I’ve tried emailing helpdesk and micro repair and nothing returned. I’m still extremely upset. I don’t find this fair at all!