Computers to be removed from all lecture halls, university hopes to save at least 300,000 euros

This summer, all lecturer computers will be removed from all lecture halls on campus Woudestein – around 300 in total. Lecturers who want to use a digital screen during or after the summer will need to bring their own laptop or tablet. The removal of the PCs is a cost-cutting measure. The hope is to save at least 300,000 euros.

BYOD is now the policy for those wishing to use a digital screen in a lecture hall, as stated in a posted message on MyEUR. BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. On Monday 7 July, the university will start removing the computers on the Woudestein campus. The expectation is that the removal will take a full month. Discussions are still ongoing with the ISS and EUC about whether or not to remove the computers there. The Erasmus MC is handling this provision themselves, according to a spokesperson from the university.

“Due to national budget cuts in education, the use of hardware is being critically examined”, is stated on MyEUR. “By removing the fixed lecturer PCs in the teaching rooms, we save significantly on hardware costs, peripherals, energy consumption and their management and maintenance.” A spokesperson for the university added upon request: “The university hopes to save 300,000 euros over five years. This amount is exclusive of additional costs for peripheral equipment, management, maintenance, incident handling, defects, licences, etc.”

Connecting a laptop

In every lecture hall, a keyboard, mouse, and of course the digital screen will remain. An online guide is available for connecting various devices. “By the way, in 75 percent of cases, a personal device – often a laptop – is already used”, the spokesperson said. “The fixed PCs are mainly used in rooms where (still) no fixed cabling is available to connect a personal device. After the summer, fixed cabling will be available in all teaching rooms, removing this bottleneck.”

As a faculty member, if you do not have a working laptop or other suitable device, you must request a device through your department’s IT demand manager. Who to contact, can be found here. All faculty members are eligible for this, confirms the spokesperson.

Where will the computers go?

When removing the computers, attention will be paid to the condition of the devices. “The PCs that are removed and are still usable will find a new destination within EUR or will be donated to the Ecoware Foundation, which refurbishes these devices and gives them a second life to people who can use them well”, the spokesperson stated.