Students at Danville Area Community College who might not have access to a computer or internet have an opportunity to have them this semester.
The loanable technology program began in March when the college was forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carla Boyd, Assistant Vice President of Student Services, says staff members had computers for students to borrow then, but now have increased the program to about 190 computers and much more.
“We bought hot spots, we have headphones, we have flash drives,” she said. “We’re trying to get everything we possibly could think of a student needs so that it would be a seamless transition if they had to go fully online or if they are in their classes and their classes are partially online.”
College President Dr. Stephen Nacco says several disparities exist among students around internet access, as he says some parts of Vermilion County and several areas across the border in Indiana have very little cell phone service.
Boyd says having WiFi hot spots allows students the benefit of using the internet even if they don’t have a direct connection already set up.
“It has a unique phone number to that hot spot and they’re able to dial that number, access that, and then they have internet access, so it runs as if (they have) WiFi in their home,” she explained.
As of Thursday afternoon, Boyd said 13 laptops have been loaned out to students. She says the college has a form to fill out on its website, and students can pick up the equipment in the library.
