University jumps on even bigger bandwagon: free iPhones and MacBooks to students
By Ryan Block 
posted March 2nd 2008 8:06AM
posted March 2nd 2008 8:06AM
posted March 2nd 2008 8:06AM
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What does that have to do with this story? ... Or anything for that matter?
Do you really have to try to pad your self-esteem by starting religious flame wars on Engadget?
I fail to see how a Tablet PC wouldn't be more practical... My Fujitsu T4010 + OneNote = lifesaver!
Oklahoma Christian has been offering free laptops for years and years (well not free- it is included in tuition) and each student has to use it to connect to the wireless network I believe... They also upgrade them every 2-3 years for each student... so it isn't a huge deal for them to upgrade... but a huge deal for them to switch entirely Apple...
What's the point in bashing Oklahoma Christian's educational merit? Have you even researched it before you began typing? Obviously not. The school has multiple degree programs ranked in the top five for their category in the nation. The school is also consistently ranked one of the best schools in it's region compared to public and private universities. And what in the world is the point in bashing the school for being founded upon Christian principles and standards? It's a private institution. They have a right to uphold whatever religious creed they choose, and it's commenable that even then they are academically competitive with the rest of the nation. If you don't like that the school is Christian, don't go there. Don't send your children there. Period. The End. This discussion was not meant to bash the school.
Oh and to respond to the question of raised tuition: Tuition did go up, but it rises every year. The actual portion of the tuition spent on technology did not rise. This was one of the reasons the school made the final decision to make the switch.
To the person who made a comment about having to change religions to attend the school: Don't be ridiculous. The school recieves federal aid for scholarships, and as such may not prohibit any person from attending on the basis of race, gender, or religion. That said, by attending the university you do consent to follow the rules, which are based upon Christian belief.
And finally to the person who mentioned buying your own laptop instead: Let's stop and think about the practicality. On one hand, you could indeed purchase your own laptop, but let's think about this. I have never considered a laptop that wasn't just above or just below one thousand dollars. You could do one of two things when purchasing your laptop: spend a significant portion of your saved capital (for non-business people, that's cash) right then at once to buy a laptop and take away what you have to pay on your tuition. Or you could do like most Americans and put it on credit, where your interest could be as high as 28%. On the other hand, you could amortize or spread that cost over four to five years of tuition. A thousand dollars at 0% interest over four years is nothing. The point is, if you choose to attend a school as technologically advanced as Oklahoma Christian University, you may as well completely benefit in all possible ways from the money you put into your education.
Why don't you provide some backup for those statements about how academically advances the school is? And no, what they tell you in chapel doesn't count. It was just recently accredited as a university. The point is that even though the school is private, this is still a waste of money. And it IS going to cost more money. Any IT person will tell you that it costs more money to support 2 different environments, PC and Mac, at the same time. Let alone making all the changes on the server-side. This is going to be a costly enhancement for the IT department. I guarantee that costs will rise, no matter what the university admits at this point in time.
"It's ok, tuition goes up every year." That's a terrible argument. Granted, tuition is always on the rise at most universities across the nation, that is not just some excuse to spend more capital, as you like to call it. The truth is that it's your (or your parents') money.
You're correct about the religious stance of the school. If you don't like the rules, you can leave. And I did.
Lastly, your argument about buying your own laptop versus letting it be paid for through university fees is absolutely ridiculous. I find it hard to understand why it's even an issue if your total cost for attending school there is over $22k a year. Nothing should be bought on credit unless it can be repaid, but that is still a better option than student loans, which take much longer to repay, resulting in greater interest accumulation over time. You should know this. Buying a laptop is a minute cost when going to school.
OC is pretty technologically advanced, I will give you that. But at what cost? Tell me, are iPhones and Macs REALLY going to help you learn? How many of your fellow students just mess around on laptops in class (be honest)? How many of your teachers don't allow them because of this? This is just a recruiting ploy by the university. That's not meant as an insult, just the truth. Enjoy your Mac and iPhone... I will be up north at a state school for less than half the cost. PS: I have a Mac and iPhone, too.
Too bad it's still going to cost an easy $17 grand for tuition, $7 grand room & board, and an extra $1k for books and other...Plus it's in Oklahoma! I'd rather save the money and go to a reputable state school. I could buy 10 iPhones with the money I'd save.
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I guess it's "cool! lik OMGzor!" to be irreverent toward beliefs that aren't yours but to others you just sound silly. It's almost like you're a middle schooler trying to fit in with the popular kids...
For all of the comments concerning "reputable state schools" as opposed to I suppose, the "ignorant, fundamentalist, Christian" school... Here's a little tip: If you have no idea what you're talking about, don't. Have you ever been to a Christian school? I go to Messiah College in Grantham, PA. and it's much more challenging than any state school I've been to (several in Michigan). With Christian schools you have "reputable" ones, then you have the not-so reputable ones, but the same goes with state schools. Think a second before you speak.
People still don't get it, university is not a place to learn, is a place to earn a title and prestige, no more no less, a Harvard student can (sometimes happen) so dumb but the title will give a extra bonus, or you could say cheat, the same bonus is given to a kid with a rich dad.
Anyways a iphone is a lousy lurebait, i will buy a "free and decent dorm","cheap","near to the beach", "hot chicks" and such.