The University of California Riverside’s (UCR) technology rental program, Loan2Learn, which started to support students virtual learning during the pandemic, will be disbanding in June due to a lack of funding.
The program started in 2020 with 500 chromebooks and over 2,400 Zoom licences. It was then able to expand due to the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act in the fall of 2020.
Loan2Learn was offered to both undergraduate and graduate students. The program required them to apply for a device through the Information Technology Services (ITS) website. Once approved, they could pick up the device from Watkins Hall room 2013.
The devices could be rented out and renewed on a quarterly basis and allowed students to use them for personal and professional reasons.
ITS initially began seeking donations in 2023. The campaign sought to gather $3,000 for the program as the funding from the CARES act had been fully depleted.
In 2024 they asked for $7,000 in donations, which would be used to purchase new computers and extend existing warranties.
The ITS department press release from May stated that the program’s devices were outdated and their warranties were set to expire. Director of campus support services Lily Barger added that, “Because this was one-time emergency funding from the federal government, it has now been depleted, and the university can no longer extend warranties or purchase new equipment for the program.”
In regards to their removal, Barger stated, “These devices will go through the official asset disposal process and be removed from the university’s active inventory.” Barger also reported that the program served more than 2,000 students since its launch in 2020 and currently has 200 devices checked out.
ITS has extended the time for students to keep the devices until June 15, 2026. If they are not returned on time, borrowers will be charged a late fee. If the device is not returned at all, the student will be charged the amount of the device itself.
UCR has avenues which can help students obtain a permanent device, such as UCR’s Campus Business Services thrift store ScotSurplus. It offers used computers at a discounted price and emergency grants to aid in the purchase of needed technology. These can be applied for through the UCR Office of Financial Aid and UCR Basic Needs Department.
Students seeking temporary access to devices can utilize on campus laptop kiosks, the virtual computer lab service (Vlab) and physical computer labs that can be found in Watkins Hall rooms 2111 and 2117.
