UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State IT is asking the University community for help growing its pool of available laptops to loan out to students in need.

Throughout the periods of remote and hybrid instruction brought on by the global health crisis, Penn State IT has been providing technology resources that allow for teaching and learning to continue. Among those resources are the Penn State IT Loaner Programs that, dating back to March, have provided 433 laptops and 221 mobile hotspots to students in need. Additionally, instructors have received 365 iPads as part of the programs.

By increasing the number of available laptops for loan, Penn State IT will help put students and instructors in the best position to succeed when the University makes the transition to remote-only instruction after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Requirements for donated machines include a minimum of 8GB memory, a functioning webcam, and functional audio. Windows and Mac machines are both acceptable. Only Penn State-owned laptops are eligible for donation. Penn State IT cannot guarantee that donated laptops will be returned.

Instructors and staff interested in donating a laptop should work with their unit’s IT department to facilitate the device’s delivery to Penn State IT. Donations are being accepted right now, and the window will remain open as long as the Penn State IT Loaner Programs continue.

Visit Penn State’s Keep Teaching and Keep Learning websites for more information on the Penn State IT Loaner Programs.