Ohio University officials recently announced that the dorm computers supplied to students will be phased out in favor of the GoMobile laptop program by the 2008-2009 school year. The program, which offers students discounts on Apple and Lenovo computers, has so far proven popular, providing computers to more than 1,000 OU students.
In part because of that program, this year, more than 1,600 students or about 37 percent of dorm residents, have opted to remove the OU-supplied computer from their rooms, with more removal requests expected in the coming weeks, according to a Tuesday Post article.
But while the computer removal is a good idea, the university needs to keep a few things in mind. First, a university-provided computer, like the microfridge, is often a selling point to students who are thrilled they won't have to buy their own, something most other colleges do require.
Second, the at least $2 million the university will be saving by not providing and servicing computers should then be funneled into other benefits to students. While spending the money on renovations ' as OU officials have planned ' is nice, a tuition or room rate cut would be even better.
OU also needs to remember that though the GoMobile discounts are helpful, many students from low-income families find it challenging enough to pay for OU's ever-increasing tuition. Buying a computer is often out of the question. If these students are ignored, they will then be forced to use computer labs and the library, relying on the availability of a computer and the compatibility of open hours to get their work done.
The university should use its clout to work out a deal with Lenovo or Apple to offer deeper discounts to low-income students ' or even subsidize the cost of a computer for students in some income-brackets. That way, students won't be left behind as the campus goes mobile, goes wireless and goes without the clunky computers of yesteryear.
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University right to ditch ancient computers, move forward with GoMobile program
