Technology
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is excited to announce its new laptop program starting the 2007 Fall semester. The computer has become an important tool in almost every professional, administrative, and studio activity. It is also an ideal platform for teaching and learning. Laptop computers enable this learning process to happen in a creative way that cannot be leveraged using static workstations tethered to individual programs. Professional artists and designers own their own computers and Kendall students will be ready with that hands-on experience by the time they graduate.
Starting the Fall of 2007, all students will be required to have an Intel-based Macintosh laptop. The decision to go with a Macintosh laptop was reached after extensive research and testing. Apple computer recently released an innovative software program called Bootcamp. This program allows these computers to start up in both of the dominant operating systems in use today. The student will be able to run Macintosh OSX as well as Windows XP operating systems and software. Other features found standard on this computer will ensure that each student will be able to communicate, research, create, document, and present his/her work professionally. The Intel-based Macintosh laptop will allow students to take any class at Kendall regardless of the operating system.
Required laptop specifications, software packages, and other peripherals will vary by program and will be significantly discounted. You can find the requirements for your major by clicking on the link in the column on the right side of this page. The best prices on required laptops and peripherals will be available through the newly developed Kendall Apple Store online. A link to this store can be found on this page as well as on the program requirements page. Kendall’s Apple Store will be password protected and only available to new and current Kendall students. If you are a current student, your login and password was e-mailed to your fsuimail account. All new students will also be provided with a login and password after registering for classes. Kendall is requiring the laptop instead of just recommending it so that the laptop can be considered in the financial aid award for qualified students. Once the purchase is complete, all students will be required to provide a receipt to the Student Services office. Failure to comply will result in a hold on your student account. Please keep in mind that you must enter the store through the www.kcad.edu link to get the special discount on the laptop.
Institutional resources that have been used to maintain numerous computer labs will now be used to purchase high-end peripherals and other support equipment. Kendall will also increase its level of institutional grants. Classrooms will be reconfigured to accommodate a more innovative, creative, connected, and collaborative environment that includes the use of laptops. The college will implement wireless access to network resources in the majority of our classrooms and in strategic locations throughout the building. This will be an ongoing process.
AppleCare is required for all laptop purchases to ensure support should any hardware issues occur. The AppleCare warranty covers three years of hardware support. It does not cover accidental damage such as spilling a drink on the keyboard or dropping the laptop. Students will be responsible for insuring their own laptop and peripherals, and we suggest that you check with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance carrier to determine your coverage.
Training resources will be available to students via the Woodland Apple Store, as well as online software videos that will be offered by this fall.
Students are expected to have their laptops and software by the second day of class. Please make sure to order your laptop and software in advance (no later than the end of July). An order form for software available for resale from the college is available on-line (click on Software in the right hand column). Software should be installed prior to starting classes. If you have trouble with the install or feel like you would like some help with installing it, the college tech staff will be available at designated times.
