CARES Laptop Program

The CARES laptop program was established in Spring 2020 to address students’ technology needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program’s funding originated from the CARES Act and continues to be supported by the Office of the Provost, Academic Affairs Retention Office, and Ottenheimer Library.

CARES laptops are requested through the Care Team Request Form.

Important Dates

  • The spring semester CARES laptop waitlist will start on January 6, 2024, until the laptops are distributed.
  • STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED FOR SPRING CLASSES at the time of the request.
  • CARES laptops are assigned one week before classes start (January 13, 2024 for the spring semester).
  • Confirmation and directions for pick-up are emailed to the student’s UALR email address.
  • Students assigned a CARES laptop typically have three (3) business days to check out the laptop at Ottenheimer Library.
  • Ottenheimer Library hours vary depending on the time of the year. Please check operating hours before arriving.

Program Details

CARES laptops are distributed to students based on the following priorities:

  1. Registered for the current semester.
  2. Student has financial needs as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
  3. Undergraduate student status.
  4. Graduate student status.

Graduate students should speak with their academic program for possible technology support, particularly if they have a graduate assistantship.

  • CARES laptops are checked out to registered undergraduates first and then graduate students on a first-come, first-serve basis until inventory has been distributed.
    • Graduate students should speak with their academic program for possible technology support, particularly if they have a graduate assistantship.
  • Due to limited inventory, students are not guaranteed a CARES laptop.
  • Students have three business days to check out and pick up the CARES laptop at the Ottenheimer Library before it is assigned to another student on the waitlist.
  • Laptops are checked out to currently enrolled students and are part of the student’s library records.
  • The overdue fine (replacement charge) for the CARES laptop is currently $1300.00. (The charge will be placed on a student account if the laptop is not returned.)
  • The student must be registered for a future semester to renew the CARES laptop.
  • Students not returning for future semesters or graduating must turn in the CARES laptop by the end of finals.
  • CARES laptops are not available for purchase as they are state property.
  • Email studentsuccess@ualr.edu for additional questions or support for CARES laptops.

Laptop Concerns

  • Students should email studentsuccess@ualr.edu for assistance.
  • Ottenheimer Library IT staff can inspect the laptop for any concerns.
  • If needed, the laptop can be replaced with a different laptop (as inventory allows).

Laptop User Agreement

Eligibility/Responsibility
Current UA Little Rock Students are eligible to receive a laptop upon approval of the Care Team. Students must be enrolled at UA Little Rock at all times while in possession of a laptop. Enrollment verification happens the first week of each semester. If the student is not enrolled, the laptop must be returned to the Library, or a $1,300.00 replacement charge will be applied to the student account.

By accepting a laptop, the student agrees to the following terms and conditions.

  • In borrowing a laptop, the student accepts full responsibility for the security of the laptop and agrees to pay the replacement costs of $1,300.00 for failure to return the laptop and/or
    any charges related to the loss/damage to the bag, charger, or other component.
  • UA Little Rock will retain ownership of the hardware and will expect it to be returned at the end of the semester. The student agrees to be the sole user of the laptop. Lending the laptop to
    others is strictly prohibited and considered a violation of this agreement.
  • Use of the laptop is granted in accordance with the University’s Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Violations of this policy will result in the denial of future use of the library’s laptops.
  • The student will be given administrative rights to the laptop. UA Little Rock expects that the user will not turn off antivirus software protections or software updates to the operating system.
  • All data should be stored in the cloud such as Google Drive as opposed to saving the data on the local hard drive. The university is not responsible for any lost documents or data.
  • If the laptop develops a software issue the entire hard disk will be wiped and reimaged. Hardware problems will be addressed by replacing the failed hardware with a working unit.
  • Upon return, the laptops will be restored to original operating parameters. The library will delete any changes (files saved to the hard drive, software installations, etc.).