OT-Maryland student-athletes recieve free iPads

Submitted by rockediny on

Via CrabCakes_and_Football who doesn't have enough points.

The University of Maryland gives all their student-athletes free iPads.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/blogs/article_37dcb396-74b2-11e2-ad5f-…

This is outrageous considering the sports they cut because of their financial troubles. Even without money problems, is it really fair to the other students? What if Michigan did this? As a student, I would personally be a little disappointed, but at least our athletes are winning titles and bringing money to the school. Discuss.

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GoBlueInNYC

February 12th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^

Indifference, I guess would be my response.

I wouldn't be mad as a regular student. Athletes get all kinds of free stuff (e.g., clothes, access to tutors, entire buildings). In the grand scheme of things, having an iPad is not something that I would have cared about when I was in college.

In general, though, it does seem pretty ridiculous from a budgetary point of view. I know from the outside there's a tendency to think of budgets as huge pots of money when in reality they are never that simple (e.g., maybe the iPads were purchased with booster money that was earmarked for something like this). But it's hard not to look at an athletic department like Maryland's and be frustrated by them throwing money away when their finances aren't exactly solid.

But, in the end, I really don't care. It's not my school or alma mater, and Maryland athletes having iPads doesn't change anything in my life one bit.

Joined: 03/23/2010

MGoPoints: 8780

Section 1

February 12th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^

I am just guessing, that Michigan may already be providing iPads, or laptops, to most if not all scholarship athletes. 

Here's the MGoBlue.com website on the basketball team's new locker room, with built-in iPad docks at each locker:

 http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/011613aag.html 

I can pretty much assure you, that the cost of iPads did not cause the elimination of some sports at Maryland, and that Title IX did play a central role in that elimination. 

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

WMU81

February 12th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^

I do believe you are correct that the bball players got ipads.. When they opened up the Crisler Center, I remember the players being really excited about the ipad....I dont see the big deal.. Dont think that the money spent on ipads was gonna save the sports that they lost..

Joined: 10/15/2012

MGoPoints: 774

trickydick81

February 12th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^

do this. Alabama does this. But not just for athletes, for all faculty and staff too. IPADS allow for a more efficient campus in Tuscaloosa. They are not paying rack rate for this, and some of the cost is offset through deals with textbook companies that allow rental digital textbooks (which is cheaper for the students too).

File this one under: no big deal.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 171

htm11

February 12th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^

I don't see anything in the article about the cost being paid by normal students tuition. We give our athletes iPads, our athletic department is entirely self sufficient (and then some) so I have no problem with it

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 242

LB

February 12th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^

What are we supposed to do with our spare time if we are not here caring about everything that every other program in the country does with their money? You want me to what? Work, you say? That might take some reflection.

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 25494

CrabCakes_and_…

February 12th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^

I'm surprised by the flippant attitude toward this. Maryland charges its students about $400 per year in athletics fees, which goes directly toward funding a department that is already millions of dollars in debt and had to cut several teams a year ago because of said debt.

Even if they were purchased at a steep discount, that's a couple hundred thousand dollars spent on items that can only be described as luxury.

 

Joined: 11/18/2012

MGoPoints: 146

MGoBrewMom

February 12th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^

are you kidding?

No.  you can have your books there, access all sorts of records/documents/information relating to school...you know...the "student" part of the student/athlete.

When you're an athlete and on the road, you still have to do school.  iPads are very useful for things besides angry birds and youtube.

I can't wait to see all the meaningful stuff you post when your total goes up.

Joined: 08/13/2009

MGoPoints: 22969

CrabCakes_and_…

February 12th, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^

Yes I know what an iPad is. It's sort of like a laptop computer except without a keyboard. There are netbooks and other tablets that can do the same thing for less, which is why, yes, I would classify an iPad as a luxury item. I'm sure most people in this country oustide of Southern California would agree with that assesment.

What I don't know is why every student athlete should be receiving one for free.

Also, the snideness isn't needed. It's unbecoming.

Joined: 11/18/2012

MGoPoints: 146

Burning Beard

February 12th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^

Student athletes are representing the university, given tens of thousands of dollars worth of  tuition, and exclusive use of millions of dollars worth of university facilities. Not to mention how much money is paid to all of the staff that is there merely to coach those student athletes. A $400 Ipad with clear educational use isn't where any reasonable person starts questioning the value and expense of student athletics. Shit, I had $400 books for engineering classes. 

Joined: 09/11/2012

MGoPoints: 148

rockediny

February 12th, 2013 at 3:10 PM ^

I've learned my lesson, this is why I don't post forum topics. To be clear, I thought Michigan did this, but wasn't sure. We're in very different situations though. Also, I was pretty surprised by it too considering they were in debt, which is why I posted it, but you guys sure showed me. Not even one upvote fo a brotha huh?

Joined: 08/14/2010

MGoPoints: 7566