Duke University recently announced its plan to require all undergraduate students to own a portable computer by fall of 2005 — a plan that Princeton has not yet considered.
To begin implementing this initiative, all undergraduates entering fall 2002 and after will be required to own a portable computer. Also, by the start of the 2002-03 school year, Duke will require all returning students to own a personal computer — not necessarily a laptop. All student-owned computers will also be required to meet the school's specifications.
The new laptop policy — which has been developed over the past six months — was the 'brain-child' of Duke Provost Peter Lange, according to special associate Michael Pickett.
Duke Administrators and teachers, though not required to own computers under the plan, hope the student computer requirements will add to the school's overall environment, according to Pickett.
"The requirement for a portable computer for freshmen in the fall of 2002 is part of a larger plan to improve the teaching, learning, communications and collaboration environment through the use of technology," Pickett said in an e-mail.
Part of this improvement plan is likely to include a wireless access component in select areas of Duke's campus. "We will pilot wireless network access in selected classrooms and commons areas to allow students to make more effective use of their machines," Pickett said.
The fact that a school with the academic prestige of Duke University will begin requiring its students to own laptops may lead to questions about whether a similar rule may be in store for Princeton students.
Princeton CIT representative Steven Sather said in an e-mail he thought that while "Princeton will continue to evaluate areas where it makes sense to offer wireless access to the campus network," he does not predict the University will force its students to purchase portable computers.
"I do not think that Princeton will adopt a 'computer mandate.' Right now, ownership among the firstand second-year students is over 96 percent and close to that for upper classes," he said.
Nevertheless, Sather said, "It is the goal of CIT and the University to provide ubiquitous access to computing on campus. This includes a good balance of student-owned computers, clusters and network access in teaching, learning and community areas."
In addition, Sather said the majority of freshmen already own their own laptop.
"CIT would estimate that 75 percent of the freshman class have laptops," Sather said. "I believe this trend will continue and may even be encouraged by the University."
According to Pickett, Duke's program is not completely planned. At this point, the school has not determined whether the cost of a laptop computer — which is considerably greater than that of a desktop system — will be subsidized by Duke or possibly "included in the admission package."
In response to issues such as these, Pickett said, "We recognize that the pace of change in technology hardware and software may require flexibility in the specific ways this requirement become defined over time."
Though Duke administrators see possibilities for problems, they also predict specific benefits resulting from this change.
Pickett said the requirement of a laptop "is a small, but useful, part of creating a rich technological and support environment. We believe that appropriately used, information technology is a means to achieving more effective teaching and research opportunities."
According to Pickett, the computer mandate also fits into Duke's greater plans for the future.
"It is part of a key goal [on the use of information technology] in our academic strategic plan: 'Building on Excellence,' " Pickett said.
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