Laptop Lending Policy

About This Policy

Short-term laptop rentals are available for currently enrolled students at the University Libraries on the Bloomfield and Montclair campuses. They can be borrowed for four hours, with the option to renew a different laptop if available. All laptops must be returned to an authorized staff member at the same lending location from which they were checked out.

• Laptops are available only to current Montclair State students on a first-come, first-served basis, with a valid Montclair State University ID. (Faculty or staff members needing a loaner laptop may request one from the IT Service Desk.)
• Students may take the laptop outside the building and off campus, provided they care for the equipment properly and return it on time. Borrowers must follow all Computing Lab Policies and the Policy on Responsible Use of University Computing Resources.
• The laptop must stay in the possession of the person who checked it out at all times. The borrower is responsible for the equipment if it is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Any problems with the device should be reported immediately to the authorized staff member at the same lending location.
• Eating or drinking near the loaned laptop is not allowed.
• Laptops do not have floppy or CD/DVD drives. Files saved on the desktop are erased when the laptop is restarted. Save files to an external drive or network share. Neither Montclair State University nor the Division of Information Technology is responsible for any files lost in transfer via disks or network accounts.
• Printing defaults to simplex and can be retrieved from printers in the designated print areas of the University Libraries. Print jobs are held for one hour and then discarded.
• The laptop must remain powered on when returned so that staff can verify it is in good working order. This check may take 5–10 minutes, so be prepared to wait.
• Potential damage fees include:
  • The replacement fee for lost or stolen PC laptops varies depending on the model and can be as much as $1000.
  • Liquid damage: Usually not covered by warranty; the replacement fee applies unless otherwise covered.
  • Other damages (such as LCD, chassis, keyboard): Based on actual repair costs.

Statement of Liability

• By borrowing a laptop, the borrower agrees to these terms. Non-compliance can result in:
  • A $15 fine for each hour late; after four hours, the laptop is considered lost or stolen, and the borrower can be billed up to $1000 for replacement depending on the model.
  • If stolen, a police report will be filed, and the device may be prosecuted under federal and New Jersey laws.
  • Repeated late returns (more than three times) or damage may result in losing loan privileges for the semester or academic year.
  • Cases will be referred to the Dean of Students for adjudication under the University’s Code of Conduct, with sanctions ranging from probation to expulsion.
  • Charges for damage, late return, or loss will be billed to the borrower’s University account. A hold may be placed on the account depending on the charges.

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