However, this possibility is probably not feasible for several reasons including cost and copyright problems. Comparisons of commuter campuses and residential campuses might be instructive here. It is difficult to expect that a reduced campus life will increase or build loyalty and in fact, is likely to decrease the feeling of belonging and loyalty that many alums have for their alma mater. That in turn may well affect alumni giving over the long term. A knowledge of some of the reasons for its failure might offer insights into the current situation.
Computer screens are harder to read for sustained periods of time.
Add the requirement for a modem connection and the problem is compounded. On the other hand, a well designed hypertext can make navigating through a text to locate relevant information quicker and easier than with a paper text. However, this risks the long-term effect of a reduced level of expertise in a field on a given campus because there are simply few professors in a given department to exchange ideas and to support each other's research. A further effect is simply less access by students to professors. If this is part of the underlying reason for the push for this technology, we believe it is misguided.