SWAU Gives Students Laptops
(posted 11/22/04)
by Alexis Franklin, senior journalism major
The original policy was limited to certain students. The returning freshmen from the previous year with a GPA higher than 2.5, coming in as sophomores, who lived in the dorm. This same policy continued in the Spring 2003 semester also. The junior and seniors, were not added into the policy during that time. They and sympathizers made complaints to the administration, because it seemed unfair. Whitney Harrison, a junior at SWAU, said “I don’t think there should be any stipulation on who gets the laptops since we all pay for it in rising tuition prices anyway. And I also don’t think it should be limited to dorm students.”
Despite complaints, the 200 plus students have received the computer and benefit from the technology and convenience. Kris Hamlin, a junior said, “It’s better than what any other university is doing. Duke is giving out ipods, so the laptops are definitely better.” Hamlin received a laptop as a returning freshman in the 2003-2004 school year.
Nick Johnson, also a junior at SWAU said, “I think it’s an excellent school policy. I can use it for my homework, researching sources, looking up articles, and going on the web when the computer labs are closed.”
After considering the impact of the policy, Southwestern’s administration revised the policy to suit more of the students. Now, anyone who is on the Dean’s List (minimum GPA of 3.3), is taking at least 15 hours their first semester, and lives on-campus in the residence halls can get a free laptop.
Even though the laptop policy is more inclusive, there are some students who are left out of the “freebie” part. According to Tina Bottsford, director of enrollment at SWAU, the village (off-campus) students have to pay $500 dollars to receive a laptop, but only if they have a GPA of at least a 3.3. She explains why.
“The dorm students pay more money to the school in the long run, so the cost of the laptop is free. We would have to be overflowing with students not to charge village students for the laptops.”
Other faculty members have shared their views on the policy. William Atkins, a physics professor at SWAU, said “With all the technological advances in our society, students should have more experience with laptops and be comfortable with them. Therefore, village students should be awarded free laptops for achieving academic excellence as well.” There are others who think the policy should be tightened even more than it is. Marcel Sargeant, an assistant professor of education said, “This is a good policy, but it is too loose. I think students who receive the laptops should have to stay for two years in order to keep them, and if they leave they should have to give it back. It should also include a component for the village students as well.”
With yearly evaluations, the laptop policy continues to change. But Southwestern is keeping it despite the arguments against its specifics. “I don’t see any reason for the school to end the policy any time soon. There seems to have been an incentive for students to do better, and there has been a great response,” said Tina Bottsford.
According to SWAU Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and PR, Fred Harder, the policy will definitely be continued into the next year.