By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ���

RICHLAND, Wash. – Up to��50��students can now check-out laptops through Washington State University Tri-Cities as part of a new laptop loan program launched by the Associated Students of ���سԹ�, the campus’ student government.��

ASWSUTC saw a need for technology support for students��this summer��and voted to dedicate $9,700 of funds toward purchasing 20 new laptops that students��can��check-out��free of cost��for use throughout their educational experience at ���سԹ�.��

Additionally, Cadwell recently donated 30 laptops��to ���سԹ���for��student use,��some��of which will be��awarded��to students��for permanent ownership��and the others will be rented out through the ASWSUTC program.��The Cadwell laptops are all previously��used, but��have been��refurbished��and have new hard drives.��

“In the 21st��century, having a reliable computer is necessary to succeed in higher education, whether you are taking classes in-person, hybrid, or online,”��ASWSUTC President Robin��Kovis��said. “ASWSUTC decided to jump start this program because we know the demand for reliable technology surged with the virtual shift.”��

Kovis��said ASWSUTC will be working with the Office of Advancement to ensure that the program continues well into the future.��

“We hope that this new program will help to close some of the equity gaps within higher education,” he said. “More than anything, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted some of the deep economic inequalities our country still faces today … Our campus community is not immune to these financial hardships. Many students and family members who support students��have experienced the brunt of this economic slowdown during the pandemic.��We felt it is our duty as student leaders to cushion that impact in any way we could.”��

The ASWSUTC laptop loan program is being offered to ���سԹ� students in addition to a separate WSU systemwide program offered at no cost to students through the WSU Provost’s office that allows students to apply to check-out a����or��.

Kovis��said they are��excited��that Cadwell donated additional laptops, as it means that even more students will have access to technology, even beyond COVID-19.��

“Generous donations like this from individuals and businesses within our community are ultimately what will ensure the long-term success of our laptop program,” he said. “Because of Cadwell’s donation, the reach of the laptop rental program is now much greater.”

Students can��apply��to check-out a laptop through��the����located on the�����سԹ� Student Support Services website at��tricities.wsu.edu/current-students/support.��

Those interested in giving to the ASWSUTC laptop loan program should contact Laura Sanchez, ���سԹ� director of campus student support services, at laura.sanchez1@wsu.edu.

 

Media contacts:��

Robin��Kovis,��Associated Students of ���سԹ� president,��robin.kovis@wsu.edu��

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617,��maegan_murray@wsu.edu��

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – is the recipient of a $35,000 grant from , which operates the U.S. Department of Energy’s . The grant will be used to provide relief to students experiencing hardship amid COVID-19 and to support technology needs for instruction and academics.

The funds will be used for an assortment of purposes, ranging from individual student support amid financial hardships and struggles, to purchasing vital equipment for faculty to use in conducting virtual instruction, to providing students with technology resources ranging from laptop computers to Wi-Fi Hot Spots so they have reliable technology and broadband service to successfully attend and complete their courses.

“In a time with so much uncertainty and when many of our students and their families have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced, more students are experiencing unanticipated hardships that negatively impact their ability to continue with their college education,” said Sandra Haynes, Chancellor of ���سԹ�. “These funds will go a long way in supporting students on their road to obtaining a higher education degree and setting them up to succeed in their lives.”

Numerous studies have shown that students who obtain a college degree earn $1 million more on average over their lifetime than those without a degree, have greater career stability and versatility and are more resilient during economic recessions, Haynes said. Many ���سԹ� degree programs, she said, are rooted in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, which makes the gift a great fit for supporting students who will go on to professionally serve at organizations such as PNNL.

“This is one small thing we can do to provide relief to so many students on their road to educational and professional success,” said Steven Ashby, director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “Earning a college degree is an important achievement and sets students up for success for generations to come. Our community benefits when we support educational success.”

The WSU system partners with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in an assortment of areas, ranging from research, to academic and STEM-based collaborations and more. In 2018, WSU and PNNL solidified their partnership through the establishment of the , which focus on Nuclear Science and Technology, Advanced Grid and Bioproducts.

“These funds support our region’s students who will go on to become our nation’s future scientists, engineers, communicators, designers and more,” said Paula Linnen, executive director of external affairs at PNNL.

 

Media contacts:

Jaime Heppler, ���سԹ� executive director of advancement and community engagement, 509-372-7207, jaime.heppler@wsu.edu

Greg Koller, public affairs, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 509-372-4864, Greg.Koller@pnnl.gov

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu