After years of planning, the School of Business has committed to require the use of laptops (notebook computers) within the undergraduate student population at the Storrs campus. The initial proposal to integrate notebooks into the program was altered to accommodate further planning and input by students. After subsequent planning sessions with a student advisory group, a revised plan was created.

The new School of Business facility opened during the Fall 2001 semester. It was configured as a plug and play environment. Each seat in all 13 classrooms is equipped with power and a data jack. Until the notebook implementation is complete, we have a student homework lab equipped with Toshiba notebooks in room 214. The new building is also equipped with a “peripheral room” for students to have access to a variety of computer equipment. The room includes: high volume black and white printers, color printers, scanners, and modem and network testing stations. All student printing is handled through this facility.

During the 2002-2003 academic year, the School of Business continued to integrate interactive electronic components into the curriculum and to require the use of mobile computers (notebooks) by undergraduate and MBA students at the Storrs campus. Over 700 students had their computers certified as meeting the technical specifications for classroom use, and an initial set of courses began using computers during class time.