Several prominent American universities — such as Princeton and George Washington University — are blocking or banning Apple iPads from their campuses. As a TechNews Daily story explains, “The problem stems not from the iPad’s popularity but from the way it connects to wireless networks.” At Princeton, for example, “the iPad causes DHCP client malfunctions, which basically means the tablet causes interference for other devices using the school’s wireless network.”

At GW, meanwhile, “Our current authentication system isn’t supported by the iPhone or the iPad,” so iPad users aren’t able to log on, a tech officer explains.

Similar problems have led the entire nation of Israel — as MobyLives reported earlier — to ban iPads.

The problem may be relieved somewhat when Apple releases phones that can connect to the internet through 3G connections (iPads currently available can only connect via WiFi). Still, as the TechNews Daily reports, a “3G connection requires a monthly fee” — a word that is often anathema to students on a tight budget.