University officials confirmed this week that they were “shocked” and “completely taken aback” by the apparent failure of its iPad-sharing program after all 1,000 free iPads disappeared from the pick-up locations within two hours.
“We thought people would just use them for a little bit and then return them when they were done,” Stephen Werk, head of the “yOUr iPad” sharing program, said. “I can’t believe people, especially poor college students, would take something valuable that’s been offered to them for free and keep it for their own personal use.”
When the university implemented its “yOUr iPad” program, the aim was to provide students with free tablets to take and return to several drop-off locations.
“We put stickers on the back that said ‘Property of OUr University. Please return’ but somehow they haven’t had much effect,” Werk said.
“I saw a cubby with a stack of free iPads in it, so I took one. Then I came back later and took three more,” Stick E. Fingers said. “So, my Christmas shopping is done.”
"I paid this school $10,000 in tuition this year, so yeah, I’m gonna take the free iPad,” Johnny Appleseed said. “It’s basically the least they can do.”
When asked how he felt about the other students who wouldn’t get to use the iPad that he had taken, Appleseed said: “Sorry, can’t hear you. The speakers on these things are incredible.”
