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Bowdoin College is providing every incoming student with a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, and an Apple Pencil starting in the Fall 2022 semester to ensure technological equity through its Digital Excellence Commitment (DExC).
The Digital Excellence Commitment Strategy
The initiative ensures that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have access to the same high-end hardware during Orientation or at the start of the academic year. By standardizing the tools available, the college aims to remove barriers to digital participation in a modern liberal arts environment.
Financial and Technical Coverage
Bowdoin College will assume the full cost of the hardware. Furthermore, the institution is including four years of AppleCare+ coverage for both the MacBook and the iPad, protecting the students’ equipment against technical issues or accidental damage throughout their four-year degree.
“Our Digital Excellence Commitment allows us to level the playing field so that every student has the opportunity to fully benefit from the technology that plays an essential and growing role in the learning experience at Bowdoin. Our central mission is to deliver an exceptional liberal arts education along with the knowledge and skills students need to lead in our increasingly digital world.” — Clayton Rose, Bowdoin College President
Evolution of the 2020 iPad Initiative
This program builds upon the college’s 2020 response to the pandemic, where students were provided with iPad Pro WiFi + Cellular units, Magic Keyboards, and Apple Pencils. For those without reliable home internet, the college previously activated cellular data plans to maintain educational continuity.
Under the new DExC framework, continuing students will keep their original iPad Pro and Apple Pencil while receiving the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro to complete their technology suite.
Addressing Software and Functional Requirements
The decision to integrate MacBook Pros alongside iPads was driven by academic necessity. Certain specialized software required for advanced coursework cannot run on iPadOS, making the macOS environment essential for many students and faculty members.
Bowdoin selected Apple as its primary partner due to the ecosystem’s functionality and the seamless transition between devices. This hardware consistency allows faculty to design curriculum around a universal set of tools and enables the college’s IT department to provide more efficient technical support.
Post-Graduation Ownership
The commitment to digital equity extends beyond the students’ time on campus. Upon graduation, Bowdoin offers students the opportunity to purchase their assigned MacBook Pro and iPad for a symbolic fee of $1, ensuring they possess the necessary technology to begin their professional careers.
