You can synchronise the U drive on your laptop, so you can work on those files even when you are not connected to the network.
The files will automatically update on the U drive when you reconnect your laptop to the network.
Step one
First go to "my computer" and right click on the U Drive.
From the context menu select Make Available offline.
Step two
Click next to start the Offline Files wizard.
Step three
Then check the box labeled Automatically synchronize the Offline Files ...... and click on next.
Step four
On the next screen there are two check boxes, both are optional and can be changed later.
Step five
The final screen is a confirmation screen, make sure you checked the yes option.
The computer will then start the initial synchronisation.
If you have any problems setting up Windows Synchronistion, contact the helpdesk.