Kent JMC

Costly Questions: A Priceless Resource?

A prospective mandatory laptop program has university administrators pointing out educational gains. However, current and incoming students are more concerned with financial strains.

"I can see the advantages of always having a laptop with you as a tool for your education, but that's an expensive tool on top of an already expensive education," says Paul Taylor.

Taylor, a sophomore electronic media production major, says students who pay for their own educations can't afford to incur further costs.

"I have to work all summer and through the school year just to meet tuition demands--rising tuition demands here in Ohio especially. I don't necessarily have an extra several grand laying around to spring for a personal laptop."

Max Kremer, a prospective Kent State freshman, says he worries not only about cost, but efficiency of such a program.

"Loans have already taken over my life, and I'm not even graduated from high school yet. Okay, so let's say I buy a laptop that will supposedly help me through a four-year education. Does that laptop do the same job in year four that it did in year one? Technology has a huge turnover; to me there just aren't enough guarantees."

University administration says it hears these student concerns loud and clear. For answers to the student price tag problem, and other proposed financial fixes, click the Kent JMC link.

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David Brown, freshman visual communication design major, works on his laptop at an open table in the Art Building. Although laptops won't be required until 2006, Kelly says his $1600 early investment was worth the expense. "I use it every day," he said.

Sophomore architecture major Ty Kelly studies at her desk in Taylor Hall. Kelly purchased her lapto before arriving at Kent.

Architecture majors work on the fourth floor of Taylor Hall. Here Sean Sandvick makes adjustments to his project as Ally Cope enters information into a laptop.