Blue state totalitarianism at its best. From WCBSTV:
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (CBS) ―
College students at Montclair State University are all talking about a new requirement that will require students to have a cell phone.
CBS 2 HD has learned more on this required feature that is forcing students to dig into their wallets.
At Montclair State, there is no excuse for being out of touch.
“‘School Phone’ I use for campus e-mail, different things like that,” freshman Angela Vuocolo said.
That’s right.
First-year student Vuocolo said ‘School Phone’ — as in a Sprint-operated cell phone — is now mandatory for all students. It’s the first program of its kind in the country.
The cost: $420 a year for a base plan which is bundled into the tuition bill.
It includes just 50 peak voice minutes a month, but unlimited text messaging to any carrier, unlimited campus-based data usage, and student activated emergency GPS tracking.
“What it does is allow students to have an extra pair or group of people watching over them when they’re going from one location to another,” Montclair Police Department Chief Paul Cell said.
The positive impact is already being felt across campus.
“It makes me feel comfortable,” MSU freshman Ricky Bodtmann said. “I guess if people want to feel safe.”Added student Vanessa Adames: “It’s very helpful. I have the train schedule on there. I can check my e-mail.”
There are various phone and call plan options, but the bottom line is you have to pick one. That could be a problem for someone with their own cell phone and their own monthly bill.
“I don’t see why they should be adding unnecessary fees to the students who have a hard time paying for college like I do,” freshman Sury Lopez said.
One mother agrees.
“It’s very expensive and quite honestly for the protection of the kids on campus the school should be giving that for free,” Patty Carragh said.
The casual acceptance of Stalin-esque totalitarianism in a state full of people who believe George Bush is a dictator tells you all you need to know about the sad state of New Jersey. I’ll never go back.
It also need not be elaborated upon that a cell phone will not protect you from crime unless it comes with a special disintegration ray feature. A simple video presentation from Kateysfirearmfacts makes the point much better:
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But since N.J. is a blue state and people actually defending themselves is frowned upon, how about the school taking a little responsibility for their students safety by hiring more security? The school is gouging the students for a phone which will not keep them from being mugged, raped, shot or stabbed, then claiming it’s mandatory for “safety reasons”.
For the safety of some back ally deal with Sprint no doubt. I call for a boycott of Sprint until this outrageous program is dismantled.
h/t Michael Manna at T4, otherwise know as Bloggin’ Stevie Richards!