This requirement does not mandate that students purchase a computer, but does require them to have access to a computer equipped to meet their instructional needs. Most students purchased computers, some have acquired computers through jobs provided by the campus, and the least-affluent students borrowed a computer from a stock of new machines given to the campus by manufacturers.
Students are free to choose whichever brand and model of computer they wish.
Infrastructure needs are provided by a modest technology fee paid by all of the students. Our policy has been very well received by students. The entire campus is networked, including the dormitories, and students in the dorms were able to go on line within days of moving in. Parents are even more enthusiastic, because what we are offering is four years of continual computer use. From surveys of our current students, we anticipated that about 15 per cent of this year's freshman class would be unable to afford a computer and would require a loaner machine.