Local Specials
(2009-05-15)
The Broadcasting Department will require all incoming freshmen to buy a Mac Book Pro. The department is also requiring students to buy video and audio editing software that will be used throughout the degree program. The total price tag is around $3,000.
Broadcasting Professor Roger Sadler is concerned some students and their families might experience sticker shock. "We're going to drive away some good students who might otherwise choose to come here," says Sadler. "That really is a major addition to your college bill. That may not be a big deal for some families, but I think it's going to be a big deal for a lot of students and a lot of families."
The Broadcasting Department chose such an expensive laptop because it offers a number of benefits. Macs are considered fail-safe. Students can go through their entire college career without having to worry about their computer crashing.
Professor Sam Edsall also points out some of the software is considered the standard in the industry. "We use Mac primarily because of the video software that we use, and that is Final Cut Pro," says Edsall. "That is what most of the industry is using these days and that only runs on a Mac."
Sharon Evans, who is Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, says the plan is for students to get certified in Final Cut Pro. "There are a lot of students who may know Final Cut Pro, but how well they know Final Cut Pro is not evident by putting a line on your resume," says Evans. "This certificate will tell everyone - employers, internship supervisors - that these students really and truly know Final Cut Pro."
Edsall understands the kind of sacrifice students are making for higher education. "I had to devote (several) years of my time in the military so I could afford to go to college," says Edsall. "So higher ed does require a sacrifice. It requires a sacrifice of your resources, it requires a sacrifice of time, it requires a lot of effort."
Edsall feels the sacrifice that students make will be worth it. Edsall hopes that after the initial sticker shock, students will realize they're not just investing in a computer; they're investing in their future. © Copyright 2012, wium
