Miami would like to announce some upcoming changes to improve technology support on campus for personally owned computers for both the Student Laptop Program and the broader Miami University community.

Immediate Changes

During the Spring 2024 semester, management of the MiTech technology support function for personally owned computers will transition from the MiTech store to IT Services. Relative to this change, after the semester, Miami will no longer be selling computers or computer peripherals via the MiTech store. The store in the Shriver Center will be closing its doors, and a new walk-up assistance center will be established in a new, yet-to-be-determined location.

The New Assistance Center

The new location will provide software assistance, as well as facilitate assistance in obtaining needed hardware repairs and provide loaner laptops for use during repairs. Beginning April 1, MiTech will cease providing on-site hardware repair services and repair cost estimates for new check-ins. Attendants at the new center will:

• Help with initial software and hardware troubleshooting.
• Assist clients in installing and resolving issues with required software.
• Assist clients in arranging manufacturer on-site and mail-in repairs for in-warranty laptops (shipping charges may apply).
• Refer clients with out-of-warranty hardware repair needs to area service providers.
• Assist with data backup or transfer, malware, and OS reinstallation.
• Provide loaner laptops for students actively obtaining repairs while taking classes on Miami’s domestic campuses (fees may apply).
• Provide basic instruction, suggestions, and pointers in the use of personally owned computers, tablets, and phones.

Impacts on Student Laptop Program

Per MiTech’s commitment to current students who purchased Miami Student Laptops before January 2024, loaner laptops will continue to be available free of charge while those students actively obtaining repairs are taking classes on Miami’s domestic campuses. Of course, the loaners and other services traditionally free or at reduced cost to Miami Student Laptop owners will continue to be available in the new service location.

Future Services

Although Miami will no longer be directly selling computers, we are currently engaging with vendors and academic departments in establishing a new program to ensure that the Miami community has access to a list of personal computer specifications that will help them determine what machines are best suited for their degree programs or working needs. We are still working through those details, but plan on having something in place by the summer.

We are acutely aware that working technology is essential to student success and we intend that this transition of service will continue to prioritize that success. While details regarding where and how personal computers are purchased and repaired are changing, we know that the need to help ensure students have appropriately functioning devices is not, and IT Services is singularly equipped and excited at the opportunity to take on this role.

We are grateful to our colleagues in Finance and Business Services who have sustained MiTech operations for many years and are eagerly engaging the process of re-envisioning and revising the way student hardware support works at Miami. 

These changes to walk-up computer support will not affect your 24x7 access to Miami’s IT Help phone support at 513-529-7900 or online chat support at MiamiOH.edu/ITChat.