davidsyes's Journal: Missouri University FORCING students to own iPhone/Pod?

(Why the hell isn't there an Apple journal topic? Anyway....)

http://www.crn.com/mobile/217400407;jsessionid=ZARQAGQKGZN3SQSNDLPSKHSCJUNN2JVN

"The university posted to its Web site that all new students need to own an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch--not to mention a wireless-enabled laptop with Microsoft Office installed--to support course material. No ifs, ands or buts about it: You come to Mizzou for J-school, you need Apple devices, the university seems to be saying.

"Effective with the fall 2009 semester, incoming freshmen journalism and pre-journalism students are required to have a Web-enabled audio-video player," read a posting to the journalism school's Web site that included a Frequently Asked Questions section. "This requirement is best met by purchasing the Apple iPod Touch, which has all the features the Missouri School of Journalism intends to implement to achieve its academic objectives and those of its students. There are alternatives to the iPod Touch, but none that we consider equally capable." "

Sounds to me that someone could be getting a bonus or kickback... Is this something the current administration would take a dim view toward?

Meh

[Captain Splendid]

Sounds bigger than it is to me. Hell I'd be more worried about the MS Office requirement, which, unlike the iPod requirement, they do not seem to allow alternatives.