After about nine months of planning, the College of William & Mary recently announced its plan to require incoming freshmen to purchase laptops, starting next fall. The school will give students the option of purchasing a standardized laptop from a currently-undecided vendor. Beginning fall 2006, the school will require all incoming freshmen to purchase the same laptop.
The majority of William & Mary freshmen come with a new computer, about 80 percent of which are laptops, said Gene Roche, director of academic information services at William & Mary.
"We're trying to standardize the one they buy," Roche said. "We're supporting one model so that we can provide a high level of support for students."
Other Virginia schools, including Virginia Tech and Longwood University, already require students to come to school with a computer.
The University of Virginia experimented with the Tablet PC Program this year. This past fall, students of three University professors were given tablet PCs to use during the semester. This semester, three more classes will do the same.
"The feeling was that it would be a benefit to the students, and we wanted to find out how," Psychology Prof. Dennis Proffit said. "I think there was a big potential benefit," he said.
--Compiled by Calisha Meyers
Read More
Former UJC Chair Allison McVey reflects on term with 31 cases adjudicated
By Melody Yuan | 12 hours agoDuring her term, 31 cases were adjudicated, and she also worked to establish the policies and projects subcommittee and engage alumni.
UDems, state legislators urge students to support redistricting at press conference
By Luca Bailey | 12 hours agoApril’s ballot question asks voters whether they support amending the Commonwealth’s Constitution to temporarily bypass the independent Virginia Redistricting Commission.
Even after federal anti-DEI guidance was struck down, U.Va. says its changes will remain
By Brendon Bordwine | 20 hours agoThe Board of Visitors’ March 7, 2025 resolution dissolving the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships and directing a broader compliance review of University programs remains in place and continues to guide the University’s DEI policies.
