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GREENSBORO — The laptop has become a staple of college life at UNCG — as essential to a study group as textbooks, highlighters and ramen noodles. But in the face of a tanking economy and systemwide budget cuts, the university will no longer require students to buy them.

“In this environment of significant cuts we had to take a hard look at a number of things we were doing,” said David Perrin, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Perrin said the school can no longer afford to provide financial aid for laptops, as it has since the requirement took effect for undergrads in 2005. The university decided to scrap the requirement rather than burden its neediest students in a bad economy.

“By doing away with the grants we found we could save $700,000 a year,” Perrin said. “Our intention is to use those funds to protect other things.”

Some tech-heavy programs — such as UNCG’s Bryan business school — still will require students to buy laptops. Perrin said the university will continue to offer discounts through its partnerships with computer vendors and to repair and service laptops bought through the school.

“The original primary purpose was to integrate the laptops into classrooms and be innovative in the way we teach,” Perrin said. “It allowed students to go live on the Internet and access other resources during their classes.”

Without the requirement, that kind of innovation may have to be scaled back, Perrin said.

Required or not, laptops have become part of the culture at UNCG. They can be seen everywhere, from the library and student center to the steps of the school’s fountain and picnic tables outside dorms.

“We actually learned from our students that most of them will come to campus with a laptop whether or not it’s required,” Perrin said.

Tony Mullins, a senior at UNCG, said he never comes to campus without his Toshiba Satellite laptop. Sitting in Elliott University Center’s food court Monday, he chatted with classmates on Facebook while writing a group paper.

“Honestly, if you live off campus like I do, it’s a lot easier to have your computer on campus than to try to get into one of the computer labs,” Mullins said. “They’re always just completely packed. And the wireless service on campus is so good now you can pick it up almost anywhere.”

That’s not an accident. UNCG did a “refreshing” of its wireless service last year that provides more bandwidth and faster speeds for students, faculty and staff.

Guests at the school can access wireless at no charge with a valid e-mail address.

Students who own laptops will continue to enjoy the beefed-up wireless — but crowded computer labs may get worse if fewer students bring their own laptops.

“I think the labs will definitely get used more,” said Michael Tuso, president of the Student Government Association. “But I don’t think it’s going to have a devastating impact on the university.”

Tuso said the relatively short time the requirement was in place didn’t give faculty very long to make laptops an integral part of their curriculum.

“Maybe with the laptop requirement on hold students and faculty will have a better chance to look at how they’re used and how they could be used,” Tuso said.

“Maybe we’ll use them better in the future.”

Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or joe.killian@news-record.com