Notebook Computing Program

The BAB Financial Services degree combines the power of notebook computing with industry-specific training, an applied professional focus and co-op work experience. Starting in your second year, you will have use of a College notebook loaded with the standard software applications used within the financial services industry.

The BAB curriculum has been designed around the use of notebook computers. Many lessons have been structured to allow you to work on specific projects in class and solve real-life business problems using industry-standard tools. Outside of class, on or off campus, you will use your notebook to communicate with faculty, classmates and friends, organize your studies, access learning materials and conduct web-based research.

The annual notebook fee for 2011–2012 is $1,000, plus a one-time refundable $400 deposit due when enrolling in the third semester.

The Notebook
Internet Connections
Deposit and Fees
Notebook Bursaries
Disability Support
Withdrawal from Program
Usage Policies
Return of Notebook Computer
Theft
Damage
Support
Printing
Student Notebook Agreement - (PDF file, 50KB)
Student Handbook (PDF file, 833 KB)
 

The Notebook
A Dell Latitude E6520 will be the standard notebook used in the program in 2011-2012. 

Internet Connections
Most of your classes will be held in the wireless-enabled School of Financial Services, the 43,000 square foot facility located at 290 Adelaide Street East.  While in the building, you can connect to the Internet, email and WebCT through the College network, simply by powering up your notebook. And you can roam from room to room and floor to floor without losing your connection.

In addition to a wireless card, your notebook comes equipped with both a fax/modem and an Ethernet/network card. This means that you can connect to your own internet service provider at home through either a dial up or high speed connection.

Deposit and Fees
You will pay an annual notebook material fee in years 2, 3, and 4 of the BAB program. This mandatory fee varies from year to year, and includes the use of the computer, loss and damage protection and cost of program-specific software.  If you are taking a reduced course load, you must still pay the full annual notebook material fee.

A one-time deposit of $400 is also due when enrolling for year 2 courses. The deposit will be held in a non-interest bearing account and refunded when you return the notebook at the end of the program, less the cost to repair non-warranty damage.  The deposit is forfeited if you lose the computer or fail to return the computer on time. 

Notebook Bursaries
In recognition that the notebook material fee increases the costs for students in their third semester of the B.A.B. (Financial Services), the College provides bursaries through OSAP to students to meet the associated costs.

To be eligible, you must be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant and be registered in your 3rd semester or beyond. Please contact College's Financial Aid Office for more details.

Disability Support
Disability Services and the BAB Coordinator will work with students with disabilities to obtain any required specialty software or interfaces. Specialized equipment and software may be eligible for funding through either OSAP or the Faculty of Business and Creative Arts. The material fee itself is not eligible for OSAP. Disability Services may also arrange for students with disabilities to take extra time to complete online tests, either in class or under supervision at the Assessment Centre.

Withdrawal from Program
To withdraw from the program, you must first return the notebook computer to the designated College Information Technology Assistance Centre (iTAC). If you return the computer before the withdrawal-with-refund date of your first semester of the academic year, you will be entitled to a 100% refund of the notebook material fee paid for that academic year. There will be no refund after that date.

Usage Policies
Your notebook is available for both class and personal use. You can keep the notebook computer during summer, holidays or co-op work terms. Please check the BAB Student Handbook for the latest notebook program policies. The following policies are also pertinent:

• College Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• College Information Technology Policy
• Academic Policies, Guidelines and Code of Conduct

Return of Notebook Computer
You must return the notebook computer:

• if you withdraw from the program, which includes transferring to another program or not enrolled in any class in this degree program
• upon request from the College (e.g. failure to pay your material fee)
• or, if you have completed the program, by the end of business day on the Grade Cutoff Date of your last semester.

The notebook must be returned in good working order, free of stickers and with no physical damage. You will be charged for any repairs that are not covered under warranty. The cost of any missing parts will be deducted from the deposit refund. If you fail to return the notebook computer by the due date, you will forfeit the notebook deposit and the fair market value of the notebook will be added to your account.

Theft
Ensure your notebook computer is within line-of-sight or securely locked at all times. Notebooks should never be left unattended or unsecured in a public space (including libraries and classrooms), either on campus or off-campus. The College does not recommend storing notebook computers in school lockers or cars.

While enrolled in the program, your notebook computer is insured against theft through a self-insurance fund with a $500 deductible.

"Self-insurance" means that a portion of the material fee goes into a fund to replace stolen and lost computers. In the event the number of stolen or lost computers is higher than expected, material fees will need to increase the following year. Protecting your computer against theft and loss helps keep material fees down.

"Deductible" means the amount you must pay out-of-pocket. Check with your insurance company to see if the deductible is covered under your home insurance policy, or if you can add a "rider" to your policy to cover the deductible. Financial assistance may be available if you do not have insurance coverage and would suffer financial hardship in paying the deductible.

In the event your notebook computer is stolen or lost:

1. Contact the designated Information Technology Assistance Centre (iTAC) as soon as possible.
2. Complete and sign a police report. If your computer is stolen on campus, Campus Security will contact the police for you and will also require you to fill in a College incident report.
3. To replace the computer, bring a copy of the police report to the iTAC, along with a cheque for $500 made payable to George Brown College.

The College will order a replacement notebook once you submit the report and payment. It may take up to three weeks for the College to order and receive a new notebook. During that time, you may be able to obtain a loaner notebook from the Information Technology Assistance Centre. In the exceptional circumstance where there is not a loaner available, the faculty will work with you to ensure you are not unduly penalized academically.

Damage
Exercise caution when handling the notebook computer. Damages from dropping the computer or liquid spills are costly to repair. Material damage to the notebook is covered under the standard manufacturer's warranty. However, if the damage is not covered or if the damage appears malicious, you may be charged the cost of repairs, up to a maximum of the fair market value of the notebook. The damage amount will be deducted from your notebook deposit and any additional amount will be due at the time of repair.

The battery warranty is for one year only. If the notebook battery fails after the battery warranty period expires, you are responsible for purchasing a replacement battery from Dell or from the College Bookstore.

Support
Technical support for the notebook computer is provided at the following Information Technology Assistance Centre (iTAC):

iTAC - School of Financial Services
290 Adelaide Street East
Room SJC 130
iTAC Hours: Weekdays 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Web site: www.georgebrown.ca/itac

Telephone: 416-415-5000 ext. 4822
Then choose option 2 for CFSE/Hospitality
Email:

In the event we cannot repair your computer, we will issue a loaner notebook, subject to availability.

Printing
Student printers are located in the School of Financial Services at room 108. A 5¢ per page printing cost is charged, which is used to pay for paper and printer maintenance.