iTUNED-OUT After scouring ACES for classes that might give them free iPods "for educational purposes," students who scored the free toys are still only using them at the gym. With midterms already here, Apple still has not lifted a block on accessing audio files, prohibiting students from downloading materials necessary for their classes.
Students used to receive separate codes for downloading individual files from iTunes. But this semester, Duke worked with Apple to implement professor-created iMixes, playlists for the whole semester that students can access with a single code. In line with this policy change, however, Apple changed its financial process too. Lynne O'Brien, director of the Center for Instructional Technology says that under the new policy, Duke would be billed only after iMixes are downloaded, as opposed to being billed in advance for gift cards or song codes that could have been used for other songs or not at all.
However, thanks to proceedings between Duke and Apple legal officials regarding details of the purchasing contract, students can't receive the codes until Duke signs the contract-a process that has put the usage of the educational technology on hiatus.
"It's now almost spring break, and half the things we proposed for using the iMix have passed already in the class," said Louise Meintjes, associate professor of music. "Using iPods for [listening to material] has not only been totally useless, but we have had to find other ways to do it."
But the whole iMix mix-up hasn't stopped the iPod initiative. Duke is one of six universities running a pilot program of new iTunes U technology-which "looks like your college or university, but acts like iTunes," Apple's website claims. The program allows students to download lectures, podcasts, video clips and other educational material onto fifth-generation iPods, accessing a personalized Duke site just as they would access the iTunes Music Store.
If this pilot program is successful, the University's iPod revolution might expand beyond the 11 classes testing iTunes U-that is, if Apple doesn't come up with any legal loopholes in that project too.
CRASH AND GONE Drinking and driving has always been a menace, but for Duke students, this year it might have become even worse.
Students who receive citations for driving under the influence in Durham go through the University's judicial process-that is, Duke treats students arrested off campus as if they had broken University regulations. Though no formula dictates Duke-related consequences for a DUI rap, suspension from school seems to be more prevalent.
Three students have been suspended for DUIs since the beginning of the fall semester, far outpacing the previous average of less than one DUI-related suspension a year. "This academic year the [Judicial] Board has stepped up its response and determined that driving under the influence requires more action," says Stephen Bryan, dean of judicial affairs.
Bryan says contextual factors also play into the Board's stepped-up awareness, such as stronger partnership between Duke and Durham police and a higher number of reported incidents. He adds that first offenses are also being scrutinized more routinely. In the past, students with first-time DUIs were not treated as strictly as those with multiple offenses, but now they are all subjected to the same process. Maybe calling a cab isn't such a bad idea.
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