UK Board approves $1.9M investment in Smart Campus iPad program

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees has approved continued funding for its Smart Campus Initiative, allocating up to $1.9 million for the next phase of the technology program, which will distribute approximately 7,500 iPad kits to students.

The latest investment marks the seventh phase of the initiative that launched in 2019 in partnership with Apple. Each kit includes an iPad Air, Apple Pencil and keyboard, with costs funded through agency funds.

The Smart Campus Initiative represents a comprehensive campuswide effort designed to leverage technology for enhancing student recruitment, retention and graduation outcomes. According to Heath Price, the university's associate vice president for partnerships, the program helps level the technological playing field for students.

"Providing iPads to students in 2019 helped level the playing field at a critical moment," Price said in a statement. "As the initiative continues, students can take advantage of evolving technology to shape their own campus experience."

The initiative aims to strengthen digital literacy, enhance teaching and learning across in-person and online environments, expand access to technology for underrepresented student populations, support student mental health and well-being, and increase financial wellness opportunities. One program, UK Invests, allows students to earn real dollars through campus activities that can be invested in personal brokerage accounts for financial education.

Since the initiative's launch, the university has deployed more than 30,000 iPads to students over five years, achieving a 70% graduation rate and 90% first-to-second-year retention rate while saving 60% in IT costs. The university earned Apple Distinguished School designation for 2021-2024 for the initiative.

The program also spawned innovation on campus, including a Digital iPad Product Passport app developed by UK researchers to monitor charging patterns and extend device lifespan while reducing carbon footprint.

University leaders emphasize that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve student well-being and integrate technology across the student experience from classroom to career preparation. For more information, students and families can visit the Smart Campus website.