The Montclair Mandate

Nearly six months after Slippery Rock University introduced a RFID payment system for mobiles at its campus, we've learned that Montclair State University is requiring that all full-time undergraduates carry a school-issued mobile for their own safety. The handsets, which cost some $210 per semester, are already being carried by about 6,000 students, and feature a GPS function that can be activated to ensure campus police are alerted of their location if something goes awry.

Let's see, that'd be $210/semester X 13,500 undergrads, with the Provost planning for 18,00 in '08...not a bad chunk of change for a security device that's never stopped one violent crime in progress--and never will unless the victim uses the handset as a weapon...

And speaking of something that would immediately stop an attacker...well, what did you expect?

Ain't it curious that regular "Only Ones" are also prohibited from bringing their sidearms on premises (but they will give you temporary storage, just like at the morgue). All of us who went to college know if you want true safety and security, Campus Only Ones are the way to go...

[Via DaKid]