Statement from Maryland Athletics
2/12/2013 7:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
Feb. 12, 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland athletics department recently distributed iPads that it purchased for student-athletes using the NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund.
The NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity fund is specific in its purpose and intended to provide direct benefits to student-athletes. This funding is primarily utilized for educational expenses and fees, institutional academic enhancements, and medical expenses.
These funds provided by the NCAA are to be used only as a direct benefit to student-athletes and can not be used for other purposes. Often times the fund is used for educational purposes, as it was in this case. It cannot be applied to a general fund or in the case of the University of Maryland to reinstate athletic programs.
Maryland athletics made the decision to provide each current student-athlete an iPad to assist with their educational endeavors. Our student-athletes will now be better connected academically when traveling to represent the university.
Each iPad has educational apps and the department has the ability to issue additional apps as necessary. These iPads provide our student-athletes with direct access to iTunes U, which is one of the largest educational resources available.
Student-athletes are being provided iPads as a tool for learning, but they remain university property. Each student-athlete has signed a liability agreement and is not permitted to sell the iPad.
If a student-athlete withdraws, transfers from the university, or is no longer a member of a Maryland athletic team, prior to graduation, the iPad and any related chargers or other equipment must be returned to the university. In the case of loss of an iPad or components due to neglect, student-athletes will be held financially liable for the replacement cost of the iPad ($600).
Maryland director of athletics Kevin Anderson and the athletic department began exploring the iPad option for student-athletes beginning in the summer of 2012.
"We constantly work on enhancing the student-athlete experience at the University of Maryland and I expect this will help further our mission of educating, developing and serving our student-athletes through a culture of academic and athletic excellence," said Anderson.
