University may require students to own computers

In addition to shampoo, pencils and clean underwear, students may have to add "new computer" to their list of things to bring to college.

Penn State is considering a plan to make it mandatory for entering freshmen to own a computer by the year 2000, said David Kayal, Undergraduate Student Government Academic Assembly president.

"It's still in the beginning stages," Kayal said of the plan, adding administrators are still examining options and gauging student reaction.

Students who wish to speak on this topic can do so at the Academic Assembly meeting at 7 p.m. today in 325 HUB. Members from the committee to examine the computer proposal will be present, Kayal said.

"It's . . . an open student forum where anyone can give suggestions," he said.

Schools around the country have been mandating computer ownership or providing all students with computers, said Kevin Cox, director of media relations at Wake Forest University, one of the first schools to provide computers to students.

The assembly meeting also will allow USG presidential and vice presidential candidates to express their views on academic issues.

"The administration is going to keep coming back to us, and (the candidates) don't really address a lot of academic issues in their platforms," Kayal said.

Nominations for president and vice president of the assembly will be taken at this meeting.

-- by Kate Dailey