Is a military base the only place “no devices” can be enforced or something? How deep is this addiction? I’m scared to ask what the academic version of fizz-buzz would be at the end of a 4 year degree, “hey write one paragraph describing a simple paradox, an example of irony, or an example of a metaphor”.
Even for exams I had my cellphone and backpack on me. You just weren't allowed into them. The only exception to that in my experience was exams proctored in a dedicated testing center where there are lockers, multiple human observers, and lots of cameras.
I mean with the force of law, yea. Businesses get away with a little bit more in places because they pay you to show up.
But if you think anyone is going to university/college to have all their devices taken away all the time and pay for the privilege then you might be confused.
If taking away phones is what’s required to make that credential meaningful again, then the universities must do it.
I think of it like a personal trainer. Do you pay them to make you sweaty and sore? Not really, but sweat and soreness are consequences of doing what it takes to build muscle/endurance/etc.
No they don't, or at least a significant percentage of them don't. They pay the university because it is a paywall between them and even getting an interview in the first place.
So its in universities best interest to actually test for competence.
... In theory.