Although some students call the Information Technology and Services department to get their computers fixed, some would rather do it themselves.

To help these students, ITS unveiled a program earlier this month called U-FixIT, which gives students the opportunity to work on and repair their own computing devices, said Chris Finkle, communications manager for ITS.

“We had a number of students wanting to work on their own computers,” he said. “After we realized the significant demand, we took the proper administrative steps to establish a formal program.”

The purpose of U-FixIT is to provide a workspace and appropriate tools to assist students in the repairs, said Jon Wright, service analyst for the Academic Application and Service Center of ITS.  Students can bring in devices that are physically damaged or no longer covered by warranty, he said.

U-FixIT focuses on hardware only, Wright said. The most common repairs are LCD screens, hard drive replacement, keyboard replacement and digitizers, he said.

“A stand-up counter equipped with proper lighting and sufficient space is provided for disassembly,” Wright said. “A computer with Internet access is provided to allow students to watch DIY videos and read any necessary instruction electronically.”

Wright also said magnetic dishes are conveniently placed so that small parts can be stored safely during the process.

Students who are interested in the idea of fixing their own computers but have little experience are not turned away, said Apurva Limaye, a graduate information management and technology student and ITS student worker.

“A consultant or senior consultant will guide you through the process if needed,” Limaye said. “We encourage students to learn these basic repairs because it is a useful skill to have.”

Limaye said students have been coming to the ITS office all year to perform their own repairs, but the decision to establish a more formalized service is a recent development.

The U-FixIT service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and operates during normal service center business hours, said Wright, the service analyst. Since the student workspace location is behind a secured door, no repairs can be started after 3:45 p.m. This allows more than an hour before the door is locked and access is terminated at 5 p.m.

“When an interested student enters the office, they will be greeted by a student consultant before being assisted by a staff member,” Wright said. “The staff will also ensure that all tools are returned and the workspace is clear. Any broken parts are the student’s responsibility and need to be disposed of properly.”

Both Wright and ITS communications manager Finkle emphasized the importance of protecting the ITS department.

Students are required to sign a liability waiver, provided by ITS, before they can use the workspace and tools, Wright said.

Wright acknowledged the program is still in an early testing phase.

“We currently average about three to four students a week using the U-FixIT service,” he said. “If the popularity increases, there is a chance we may expand the hours.”

Published on March 20, 2013 at 11:28 pm

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