Is University of Missouri's iPod Touch 'Requirement' Fair?
But the "requirement" wasn't really a "requirement," if you read further into the Missourian article:
The requirement will not be enforced, however, and there will not be a penalty for students who chose not to buy an iPod touch or iPhone, [Associate Dean Brian] Brooks said.
"The reason we put 'required' on it is to help the students on financial need," Brooks said. "If it's required, it can be included in your financial need estimate. If ...
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This was a great issue for both MediaShift and the Maneater to cover, but they both let the meatier aspects of the story untouched. Shame on them. The only "sides" presented here revolve around marketing quotes from the university and knee-jerk reaction from students, who, in my experience as a student-journalist, tend to throw a fit any time they're presented with a new expense, even though it'll probably go on their parents' tab.