Access for Everyone: Computing at Drexel, 1946-1984

In October 1982, President W. W. Hagerty announced a plan to require all incoming freshman to purchase a personal computer. Drexel selected Apple as the manufacturer in February 1983, and a year later, freshmen received their Macintosh computers. Some members of the Drexel community questioned the wisdom of requiring computers for all students. In response to alumnus Dr. Harry C. Gross’ concerns about the financial burden on students, President Hagerty wrote that the cost of the computers would be included in Drexel’s financial aid packages. In promoting the microcomputer project, Drexel emphasized the importance of computers for students in all disciplines. A 1983 admissions brochure explained that “...in every field of endeavor the successful professional will be required to use computer technology routinely to understand and deal with the ordinary day-to-day challenges of professional life.”

In September 1983, Drexel began publishing the Drexel Micro News, a newsletter to help familiarize students with their new Macs. Issue #4 served as a manual for new Mac users. It contained instructions for creating spreadsheets, using the word processor, and drawing with MacPaint--skills useful for students in various disciplines. A new student group called DUsers also served as a resource for students; members were available to help freshmen with their new Macs. As the 1983-1984 academic year drew to a close, it was still too early to evaluate the success of the Microcomputer Project, but in the words of the Lexerd, “many exciting possibilities exist for this new educational tool.”