Students and faculty discuss the lack of accessibility for affordable technology on campus
By JENEVAH HARRISON — features@theaggie.org
In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of many conversations, the accessibility of refurbished and second-hand technology remains a challenge for UC Davis students. While initiatives like the TechHub on campus provide repair services and financing options for new devices, students seeking affordable used technology often find themselves with limited choices.
For students who cannot afford a new device, UC Davis does offer some temporary solutions. The campus library provides laptop rentals for up to four hours daily, offering short-term access to technology. Additionally, students in financial need can request a computer loan through the Financial Aid and Scholarships department. However, both options come with limitations.
A loan, while helpful, still requires repayment after graduation, which may place a financial burden on students. Similarly, a four-hour rental period is far from ideal for full-time students who rely on a device for extended periods throughout the day.
Recognizing the financial strain of purchasing new devices, the TechHub repair team offers an alternative for students looking to maintain their current devices.
“Aside from payment with cash or card, we do allow students to pay for their repairs via their Student Account in which they can pay for the repair the same way they would pay tuition through MyBill,” the TechHub repair team said via email. “This allows for some flexibility to students who may not have the direct means in paying for the repair upfront.”
For students interested in upgrading their devices, TechHub Manager Patrick Khamvongsod highlighted the store’s trade-in program.
“If students are looking to upgrade their devices, we have a trade-in program,” Khamvongsod said. “You get the value of your device, come to our counter, we take your old device and issue you a bookstore gift card. Most of the time you would use that credit towards another device purchase.”
While this program provides an option for students looking to upgrade, it does not directly address the lack of affordable technology for students.
The Aggie Reuse Store, which promotes sustainability by providing free, used items for students, currently does not serve as a resource for used technology, noting that they typically only receive items such as clothing and houseware. Besides a few AirPods cases, the store was predominantly stocked with non-technology items.
This gap highlights a significant issue: While students may be willing to donate or sell used clothing and household goods, there is no established culture or system for recirculating technology on campus.
Phoebe Anzalone, a second-year American studies major, shared her frustration with the lack of options for purchasing used technology on campus.
“Everything on campus pushes you toward buying something brand new, whether it’s a laptop, charger or tablet,” Anzalone said. “There’s really no alternative unless you go off campus or find something on Facebook Marketplace, which isn’t always reliable.”
This sentiment underscores the broader problem within the UC Davis community of single-use culture surrounding technology. Without a structured program to encourage the reuse and resale of electronic devices, students are left with few sustainable and affordable choices.
“I recently had to get my computer replaced and for the days it was broken, I fell behind on my classwork,” Anzalone said. “I tried going to TechHub, but due to insufficient stock, I wasn’t able to get a new device for at least a week. Not to mention there really isn’t much of a discount for students, and I definitely think that should change.”
A potential solution to this issue could be the implementation of a used device initiative at UC Davis and possibly UC-wide, according to students like Anzalone. Establishing a formal marketplace for second-hand technology for enrolled students would make essential devices much more accessible while also promoting sustainability. Such an initiative could involve a designated campus store or online platform where students can buy and sell used laptops, tablets and other tech accessories.
Anzalone further shared her experience at the UC Davis TechHub.
“Even with the student discount, I think they try to make it more accessible,” Anzalone said. “But $100 dollars off of a $1300-1400 computer isn’t really much more accessible, in my opinion.”
This student discount, a promotion provided by Apple and not the university, is not entirely sufficient, according to Anzalone. An alternative solution to this could be a discount provided directly through the university rather than a private company to ensure sufficient accessibility for students.
UC Davis students have proposed several potential initiatives to enhance access to affordable technology and reduce electronic waste. These suggestions include creating a second-hand tech marketplace, expanding the Aggie Reuse Store’s inventory to include electronics or establishing a formal system for students to sell or donate used devices.
“I think considering the universities commitment to sustainability, it definitely makes sense for there to be second-hand technology available for students,” Anzalone said. “It seems like a win-win situation to me if UC Davis were to implement this type of program.”
Implementing such programs could increase the availability of cost-effective technology while also supporting waste reduction efforts and sustainability goals. Expanding this access could potentially further promote UC Davis’ sustainability practices and commitment to equal accessibility for their students.
Written by: Jenevah Harrison — features@theaggie.org
