DoIT Computer Lending Program - FAQs

This documents lists answers to some common questions regarding the DoIT Computer Lending Program, and also lists common solutions to problems with the rental devices or systems. Only students who are currently enrolled are eligible to check out equipment from the DoIT Computer Lending Program. Staff and faculty are strongly referred to work with their department's local IT on available resources.

Where can I contact the DoIT Computer Lending Program?
The DoIT Computer Lending Program is managed by the Walk-In Help Desk. Customers can either submit a ticket with us through the DoIT Computer Lending Program Contact Form or physically come in to our Walk-In space at 1210 W Dayton Street in the Computer Sciences Building. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:45am to 5pm. 

Where do I return my DoIT Computer Lending Program device?
Devices from the DoIT Computer Lending Program can be returned to the Walk-In Help Desk. We are located at 1210 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706 in the Computer Sciences building. If a customer enters from the main doors on W Dayton Street, the Walk-In Help Desk is in the offices directly to the right of the atrium space. We also have lockers that are available upon request for customers that may not be able to return devices during Walk-In hours. Requests for lockers can be escalated to the Service Desk.

We do not take returns for any of the Infolabs/Libraries equipment. Customers need to return the equipment to the locations where they picked up. 

Devices may be shipped to the Walk-In Help Desk. Please see Shipping to the DoIT Help Desk: Computer Repair and Loaner Equipment for more information on shipping loaner devices to the DoIT Help Desk. DoIT highly recommends to purchase insurance with the shipping provider for the package. If items are damaged or lost in transit, the customer is responsible for either a repair or replacement of the device as it states in their checkout agreement. Customers must email repair@doit.wisc.edu to notify that their device is being shipped back along with any tracking information. If customers have any other questions or concerns, they can fill out the DoIT Computer Lending Program request form. 

Please note that if equipment is returned by contactless locker or through shipping, penalties may still occur if the equipment is overdue. Equipment will always be due at the end of business hours the day that the customer has agreed to return the equipment. 

Can my friend or someone else return my laptop for me?
Yes, however you are still held responsible if there are any missing or damaged parts of the loaner bundle. We reserve the right to place a hold on your student records if the equipment was not returned to us or is returned with missing or damaged parts.

Can I check out equipment for a friend?
No. This is a direct violation of our check out policies. 

Can I reserve a laptop ahead of time?
No. The DoIT Computer Lending Program is not able to provide individual reservations ahead of time. Customers are only eligible to check out one laptop and/or one hot spot at a time. Checkout requests for more than one of each item are subject to approval.

I am faculty/staff. Can I loan out equipment?
Yes, however we highly encourage staff and faculty to reach out to their local IT departments for available resources before reaching out to the Computer Lending Program. All faculty/staff requests are subject to approval.

Is there a waitlist I can be added to for a laptop?
No. The Computer Lending Program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis due to the limited number of laptops we have available in our inventory.

Can I renew my device? 
The DoIT Computer Lending Program will no longer extend currently checked-out equipment past the term that items are due. If a customer needs equipment past their current due date, they will need to come in to the DoIT Walk-In Help Desk to return their current item and check out a new one if available. If there are none available, they must wait 1 business day to allow their recently returned laptop to go through check-in processing before they can be allowed to check it out.

Note: The Computer Lending Program has a limited supply of laptops that are meant to support all eligible students. It would not be fair to allow customers to continually renew their equipment each semester, since the laptops already have semester-long checkout terms. Additionally, the laptops from the Computer Lending Program are not meant to be permanent replacements for personal machines or for departmental work machines. If customers have questions or feedback concerning this policy or any other policies that we have, please reach out through the DoIT Computer Lending Program Request Form or email directly to clp@doit.wisc.edu.

For any questions concerning this policy, please submit a request through the DoIT Computer Lending Program Request Form.

What happens if I don't return my device on time?
The DoIT Computer Lending Program will make attempts to contact you concerning your overdue loaner before moving forward with any actions that may affect your student records. The program reserves the ability to place holds on your student records which may affect enrollment and official transcripts. Additionally, hot spot service may be suspended and laptops may be locked down from retrieving data if the program is unable to get in contact with the customer.

How much does it cost to rent a computer, and how long can I rent one for?
Our loaner equipment is cost-free for students enrolled at UW-Madison. Laptops are available for semester-long checkouts and hot spots are available one week at a time.

I'm having an issue with a loaner computer. Can I call or email for help?
Yes. The DoIT Help Desk will provide best effort support for issues with the physical devices that customers have checked out. If an issue cannot be fixed over the phone or through email, the DoIT Help Desk may direct customers to return the device to the Walk-In Help Desk at their earliest convenience to swap it for another one if we have laptops available.



Keywordsrental policies rent procedure procedures rentals faq question questions policy loaner computer lending program loaners, computer lending program, rentals, checkout, check out, clp, FAQ, equipment checkout   Doc ID45284
OwnerDoIT Computer Lending ProgramGroupDoIT Repair
Created2014-11-25 14:31:58Updated2024-03-25 09:18:33
SitesDoIT Help Desk, DoIT Repair
Feedback  2   1