Bowdoin College Student Digital Excellence Commitment (DExC) Technology Agreement

Purpose of the Agreement 

The purpose of this agreement is to specify the responsibilities of students receiving and using the Bowdoin College-owned “Technology Kit.”

  • Beginning with the distribution of technology to first-year students in the fall of 2022:
    • The Technology Kit includes an Apple laptop, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad rugged case, Apple Pencil 2, and related cables and charger. This agreement also provides students with important information about the policies that govern use of technology owned and managed by Bowdoin College. 
  • Beginning with the distribution of technology to returning students in the fall of 2022:
    • The Technology Kit includes an Apple laptop, iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil 2, and related cables and charger. This agreement also provides students with important information about the policies that govern use of technology owned and managed by Bowdoin College. 

Sole Use of the Technology Kit

  • You have been assigned a Bowdoin College-owned Technology Kit and software or mobile applications (apps) for your sole use and benefit as a learning tool while actively enrolled as a student at Bowdoin College. You are assuming responsibility for the item(s) as long as they are issued to you.
  • The use of these items is a privilege that can be revoked. Inappropriate use or neglect can result in limits to or loss of use of these College resources. You agree to take care of and protect the Technology Kit to the best of your ability. 
  • You will not sell, give away, or otherwise transfer ownership of the device or related accessories (including chargers, cables, and software) in any way. You are responsible for any third-party (someone other than yourself) usage of the Technology Kit.
  • You understand that Apple is permitted to use your information to create or enhance Apple products and services. However, Apple is not permitted to share your information with third parties (for example, other companies or individuals) for the third parties' own use. The Apple Terms and Conditions are available at apple.com. (link is external). 

Using Software and Apps

You can download educational apps from the Apple App Store and Bowdoin’s Self Service app. To download from the Apple App store, log in using your Apple ID and download the apps you need for your classes or studies as you would for any app in the app store. There are a number of academic apps Bowdoin may purchase for you, these are available in the pre-installed Self Service app. You should check the Self Service app before purchasing from the Apple app store.

From time-to-time, Bowdoin College will push new apps, operating systems and app updates to the laptop and iPad. Always keep your device and apps up-to-date for the best experience. Bowdoin College will send you notifications if your device and/or apps are out of date or have a potential security update that needs to be installed and you are expected to take action within 1 week if a notice is sent.

Each app on the iPad and software on the laptop has its own privacy policy that explains how your personal and other information is collected, used, shared and secured.

Returning/Purchasing Technology Kit

  • You must immediately return/check-in the Technology Kit and all related accessories (including chargers, cables, and software) at the request of the the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Student Affairs, and representatives of Bowdoin Information Technology (IT).
  • If you withdraw, transfer from the College, transfer away from the college, or are asked to leave, you must return your equipment to the College. You may receive notifications from Bowdoin College IT or the Dean of Student Affairs Office to return the equipment and all related accessories within 30 days. In the event of no communication or if communication is not possible, you are still responsible to return the equipment to the College. Failure to return or purchase the equipment may result in it being remotely reset to the original configuration or disabled and rendered non-functional with a charge for its replacement applied to your College accounts through the Bursar’s Office. Past-due accounts with the Bursar’s Office may incur finance charges and trigger collection efforts. For all returns contact the IT Service Desk (207-725-3030).
  • Upon successful completion of your undergraduate program, Bowdoin College will transfer ownership of the device and its accessories to you. When you graduate from Bowdoin College, you will receive a communication explaining how to continue using the apps and the information they contain and back up and take your content with you from apps that were provided via your active Bowdoin College enrollment.  
  • Should ownership of the equipment be transferred from Bowdoin College to you (because you have successfully completed your undergraduate studies the College), Bowdoin College will remove all management, including Bowdoin College’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) service and any apps owned by Bowdoin College. It is necessary for the device to be reset to its factory state for complete removal from the MDM. Allow up to 30 business days after graduation for the device to be fully processed and ownership transferred to you. 

In the Event of Loss, Theft, or Damage 

  • For technology distributed beginning in the fall of 2022:
    • If the laptop or iPad is damaged, they both include a four year period of AppleCare+ coverage for manufacturer defects and accidental damage. There is no cost for the repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage for the laptop, and there is no cost for the repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage for the iPad as long as the provided iPad case was in use at the time. This is limited to two repairs per year over the initial four years of AppleCare+ coverage. To check the AppleCare+ coverage of your device visit checkcoverage.apple.com. 
    • If the Apple Pencil is damaged, the Apple Pencil includes an initial period of AppleCare+ coverage for both manufacturer defects and accidental damage. There is no cost for repair or replacement in the even of accidental damage. You may be requested to provide a credit card and be temporarily charged for the cost of a new Apple Pencil until Apple receives the damaged unit and a credit is applied. For details on AppleCare+ coverage visit checkcoverage.apple.com.  
  • For technology distributed prior to the fall of 2022:
    • If the iPad is damaged, the iPad includes a four year period of AppleCare+ coverage for both manufacturer defects and accidental damage. The cost for repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage under this agreement is $49 (plus applicable tax), limited to two repairs over the initial four years of AppleCare+ coverage. To check the AppleCare+ coverage of your device visit checkcoverage.apple.com. 
    • If the Apple Pencil or Apple Smart Keyboard are damaged, the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard include an initial period of AppleCare+ coverage for both manufacturer defects and accidental damage. The cost for repair or replacement in the event of accidental damage under the agreement is $29 (plus applicable tax). For details on AppleCare+ coverage visit checkcoverage.apple.com.  
  • AppleCare repairs for the Apple Pencil can be made at any Apple Store or by contacting AppleCare (getsupport.apple.com or 800-800-2775 option 3). AppleCare repairs for the laptop and iPad must be made through the IT Service Desk and can be initiated by completing the form in the IT Client Portal.
  • If the laptop and/or iPad is lost or stolen, you may be issued a “loaner” device for your use while enrolled as a student at Bowdoin College. This “loaner” device must be returned to the College at the conclusion of each semester and at the conclusion of your studies at Bowdoin College. If the “loaner” device is lost or stolen, you will be responsible for its full replacement cost which will be added to your bill.
  • If the Apple Pencil is lost, you are responsible for replacing the device. An equivalent accessory may be borrowed until the device is replaced or until the conclusion of the current semester, whichever comes first. If the “loaner” device is lost or stolen, you will be responsible for its full replacement cost which will be added to your bill.
  • In the event that you report the laptop and/or iPad lost or stolen or the College has sufficient cause to believe the device is no longer in your possession, the device will be rendered non-functional and the built-in tracking mechanism (“Lost Mode”) may be enabled by the College to allow for recovery of the device.
  • In the event of theft, you will immediately file a report with the Department of Public Safety (207-725-3500) and/or local police authorities depending on your location at the time of the theft, and contact the IT Service Desk (207-725-3030).
  • In the event of loss, you will immediately file a report with the IT Service Desk (207-725-3030).

Appropriate Use

  • The laptop, iPad, accessories, and software covered in this agreement are issued for educational use in your courses, for course-related work, and for managing other student life and College-related activities (e.g., registering for classes, participating in Bowdoin College clubs, managing your accounts, etc.). Appropriate personal use of the technology is permitted.
  • You are solely responsible for the conduct with which the latop, iPad, its software, and other College resources accessed by the laptop or iPad are used. The College’s Code of Student Conduct and all College policies apply to your use of the laptop or iPad and the apps installed on the laptop or iPad. You are not permitted to use the technology kit for illegal uses or those that violate college policy.. 
  • The laptop and iPad are required to be enrolled and kept in communication with Bowdoin College’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) service in order to provide a reliable experience with the device and to enhance security in compliance with College policies. The intent of the MDM is to:
    • Allow Bowdoin College to push College-purchased or approved apps and digital assets (such as eBooks) to the iPad, make apps and digital assets available via “Self-Service,” and list the apps installed on enrolled devices
    • Require a passcode on all devices, enable device encryption, and set the screen to lock after a period of inactivity
    • Install and maintain security software including, but not limited to, anti-virus, anti-malware and other
    • Prevent bypass or removal of the MDM, including user-initiated factory reset of the laptop or iPad or non-College management profiles
    • Distribute software updates and related notifications to protect against vulnerabilities
  • You can view details of the MDM profile on the iPad at “Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management” at any time. Other settings not listed above are Apple/iOS system defaults displayed for your information only. You will be informed if any aspects of the MDM are changed.
  • Any attempt to bypass or remove MDM or other functionality established by the College (including, but not limited to, “rooting” or “jailbreaking” the device) without prior explicit, written approval from the College, will result in the iPad or laptop being remotely reset to its original configuration or disabled and rendered non-functional, with potential loss of data or app on the device.
  • It is illegal to copy or distribute copyright software, including many of the softwares available through the Bowdoin online learning program (Digital Excellence Commitment).
  • You cannot copy, forward or otherwise distribute, in any manner, any of the College’s confidential information on the assigned devices. 
  • Installing software on the iPad in any manner other than through the App Store or Self-Service is not permitted. The only exception is for students tethering the iPad to a Mac running Xcode for the purpose of app development without prior, written approval from the College.
  • Like any device connected to the College network, the network traffic to and from the laptop and iPad may be subject to routine monitoring, which is intended to protect against security threats, intrusion, and illegal activity. 
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your data is safe and secure in the event that the laptop and iPad becomes corrupted, must be reset or replaced, or is lost. Bowdoin College provides laptop and iPad-compatible secure file storage for this purpose. The College is not responsible for backing up the data on the iPad.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that your addresses and secondary contact information are up to date with the Office of the Registrar in case of scenarios wherein the College must ship your technology or contact you regarding the technology. 
  • You agree to follow the Computer and Network Usage Policy and all other Information Technology Policies. You agree to comply with all federal, state and other applicable laws, College rules and policies and all applicable contracts and licenses. Examples of such laws include the laws of libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, obscenity and child pornography (including the sharing of photos/videos), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and HIPAA. You will not use the equipment or software for any illegal or unlawful purposes. An eBook may be provided to you that documents applicable College policies and support processes.

Agreement

You understand that failure to comply with these responsibilities and requirements may result in:

  • the equipment being remotely reset to its original configuration or disabled and rendered non-functional; 
  • loss of all information stored on the laptop or iPad or in apps accessed from the device;
  • loss of future access to equipment; and/or
  • applicable financial liability, which may be charged through the Bursar’s Office to my College accounts and will be subject to finance charges and collection efforts. 

Bowdoin College may also pursue remedies under the Code of Student Conduct or other legal and criminal remedies, if warranted. I have read this entire Student Technology Responsibility and Liability Agreement. I fully understand it and agree to be legally bound by it.

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