Buena Vista University's eBVyou Program Will Equip Nearly 1,400 Students And
Faculty With Gateway Solo(R) 2550 Notebook PCs for Around-the-Clock Computing
Capabilities and Access to the Internet and University Resources
SAN DIEGO and STORM LAKE, Iowa, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Buena Vista
University (BVU) today announced its selection of Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW) as
its exclusive mobile PC provider for the nation's first totally wireless
campus. This fall, Buena Vista University's eBVyou program will equip its
nearly 1,400 full-time students and faculty with Gateway Solo 2550 notebooks
for around-the-clock computing capabilities and access to the Internet and
University resources. Participants in the eBVyou program will be able to work
and study anytime, anywhere on BVU's 60-acre campus.
"At BVU, our mission is to prepare our students for leadership and service
in an information-driven, global society," said Fred Moore, president, Buena
Vista University. "Our eBVyou program represents an innovative approach to
technology that will increase our students' opportunities for success in the
digital age. We selected Gateway as our mobile computing partner due to their
experience in the education field, innovative products, and outstanding
technology refresh programs that will keep our students on the cutting edge."
BVU selected Gateway and the Solo notebook platform to provide
comprehensive IT support for students, streamline the software imaging process
and dramatically reduce the associated support costs. BVU students will be
issued a powerful Gateway Solo 2550 notebook equipped with a 500 MHz Intel(R)
Celeron(TM) processor, 96MB RAM and a 6GB hard drive. The systems also
feature a 13.3-inch active matrix color screen, diskette and CD-ROM drives, a
56K integrated modem and two PC card slots. The notebook will come with an
11MB/s 802.11b wireless network interface card to connect with the
130 wireless access points across the campus.
"We personalize the computing experience by working closely with our
customers to deliver technology solutions that impact the way they work," said
Dick Callahan, vice president and general manager, education, Gateway
Business. "The eBVyou program will give students the tools, knowledge and
flexibility they need to take full advantage of their learning opportunities
and prepare for tomorrow's marketplace. We're proud to work with Buena Vista
University on this innovative program that will really change the way students
learn."
The extensive eBVyou planning and development process, including student
and faculty focus groups and widespread technology testing, has prepared BVU,
its students and IT staff for a smooth transition to the new program. When
classes begin in August, students will be able to collaborate on projects,
access library resources, research information on the Internet and send and
receive email from anywhere on campus, from the dorms to the lake. Students
will remain on the cutting edge during their college years through Gateway's
Tech Refresh(1) program, which replaces the mobile computers with new
technology every two years.
For more information about the eBVyou program, visit the university's web
site at ebvyou.bvu.edu.
About Gateway
Gateway, a Fortune 250 company founded in 1985, focuses on building
lifelong relationships with consumers and businesses through complete
technology personalization. Gateway ranked number one in U.S. consumer PC
revenue in 1999(2) and was rated among the top ten best corporate reputations
in America according to a survey conducted in August of 1999 by Harris
Interactive and the Reputation Institute and published in The Wall Street
Journal. Gateway employees worldwide provide clients with services and
built-to-order computers that consistently win top awards from leading
industry publications. Gateway had total global revenue of $8.65 billion in
1999 and shipped 4.68 million systems. For more information, visit our Web
site at http://www.gateway.com.
About Buena Vista University
Founded in 1891, Buena Vista University is a leading New American College,
preparing students for successful careers as well as leadership and service in
their communities. With 1,399 undergraduate and graduate students on its main
campus in Storm Lake plus an additional 1,375 students at 17 branch sites
throughout Iowa, BVU offers a balance between traditional learning and
innovative experiential learning opportunities that require the practical
application of knowledge.
Long a leader in information technology, BVU was among the first
educational institutions to set up a college web presence and among the first
to experiment with online learning and collaboration in the College Town
Project. The University continues to show its leadership in educational
technology by its active association with the IMS Project, a global consortium
with members from educational, commercial and government organizations seeking
to establish international standards for online learning. BVU is currently at
the nation's forefront in providing "anytime, anywhere" access to all students
by creating a wireless notebook community.
(1) Technology refresh program participants, provided certain requirements
are met, including credit approval, may choose to refresh their Base
Unit, as defined in Lease Agreement, during the period(s) designated
in the Lease Agreement. Equipment will be refreshed with the latest
available model in its Product Class, as determined at Gateway's sole
discretion, and will extend the lease for a term of 18 to 24 months as
predetermined in the Lease Agreement and related Lease Schedule(s).
Other terms and conditions apply. Leasing provided by independent
leasing companies to qualified commercial customers. Lease terms
subject to change without notice or obligation. Call for details.
(2) According to GartnerGroup/Dataquest US PC Quarterly Statistics.
Gateway, the Gateway stylized logo and Solo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Gateway, Inc. All other brands and product names are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
SOURCE Gateway, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.gateway.com
CONTACT:
Lisa Emard of Gateway Business, 949-609-4496,
lisa.emard@gateway.com; or Richard Ridgway of Buena Vista
University, 712-749-2120, ridgwayr@bvu.edu
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