Adam.Frix@f200.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix) (10/09/89)
Some folks missed the original post of Apple's letter concerning the
proposed anti-discount legislation aimed at universities that
participate in Apple's (and others') university consortium
selling/pricing schemes. As a favor to the net, here it is again:
(original post follows:)
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This is an open letter I received (secondhand) from Apple Computer. It
regards a set of proposals floating around the House of
Representatives which affect the ability of college students to
purchase computers at university prices. (This, of course, refers to
all makes of computer equipment, not just the Apple stuff.) The
recipient and I felt this might be of interest. (I am not affiliated
with Apple, nor is this posted by their request or permission.)
.
The letter follows (verbatim):
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To: College Faculty and Students
From: Apple Computer, Inc.
Re: Federal legislation to limit your ability to buy personal computers
on college campuses
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As you know, Apple Computer and other computer manufacturers work with
colleges and universities to conduct a special program so that you can
buy personal computers for educational purposes at large discounts
from retail price. Some businesses who sell our products at higher
prices, however, are complaining to the federal government about the
discounts made available to you through your university or college.
They would prefer you to buy computers from them at higher retail
prices. Because the Congress has been hearing only from these
businessesmen [sic] and not from the students and faculty, the
politicians are now considering ways to restrict you in the college
and university community from purchasing computers at education
prices.
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The current proposals being considered would do the following:
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(1) prevent students from buying computers at education prices
from your campus reseller unless they get a permission slip from a
professor which states that the computer is required for a particular
class; and
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(2) prevent college faculty and staff from purchasing computers
through the campus resale program at education prices altogether.
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Is it fair that only students who take specific classes be able to buy
computers inexpensively? Should adults be required to get a permission
slip in order to buy a computer? Will faculty members be equally
enthusiastic in using computers for class projects if their right to
buy computers on campus is taken away? At Apple, we believe the answer
to these questions is an emphatic NO. Computers are an educational
tool that you can use for many different productive and creative
purposes. Do you need a permission slip to buy a textbook, a
calculator or a typewriter? No. Then why should you need one to buy a
computer?
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If you feel as strongly as we do that limiting the sale of computers
to college students, faculty and staff is bad public policy, you need
to let the men and women in Congress know. Your letters will have an
impact. If a Congressman gets letters from you and your colleagues or
fellow students, he will have to think twice about limiting your right
to buy computers. The follwing Congressman [sic] in the House of
Representatives are the most active on the subject:
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J. J. Pickle (D-TX)
Beryl F. Anthony, Jr. (D-AR)
Ronnie G. Flippo (D-AL)
Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND)
Harold E. Ford (D-TN)
Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
Andrew Jacobs. Jr. (D-IN)
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Richard T. Schulze (R-PA)
Raymond J. McGrath (R-NY)
Rod Chandler (R-WA)
E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R-FL)
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Please write to them at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington,
D.C. 20515. They are all members of the subcommittee which is
deliberating on this subject, the Oversight Subcommittee of the House
Ways and Means Committee. This subcommittee may make a legislative
recommendation on it very soon.
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Since Apple is opposing this legislation, we can best coordinate our
efforts with you if you send us a copy of your letters to these
government officials. Please send the copies to:
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Chuck Jacob
Apple Computer, Inc.
1550 M St., N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20005
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If you have any questions on this issue, you can call Mr. Jacob at
(202) 872-6260. Together, we must prevent the Congress from
restricting your freedom to buy a personal computer.
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Nathan Loofbourrow
Carnegie-Mellon University
ARPA: nl0s+@andrew.cmu.edu BITNET: nl0s@andrew UUCP:
...!harvard!andrew!nl0s+
DISCLAIMER: The opinions in the letter above are Apple's, not mine.
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(original post ends)
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