It Does Seem a Bit Pricy

A high-tech, $219,000 conference table purchased by Kean University raised eyebrows on the school's campus, where some students questioned whether the expense was warranted.

The 22-foot oak table was specially manufactured by a company in China, where Kean recently opened a campus, and serves as the centerpiece of a new conference center.

While school officials have reportedly dismissed criticism of the purchase, students on Monday said they were surprised the public university would pay so much.

"That's ridiculous," freshman Melrose Johnson said. "It's a table. You're just sitting around it."

"I mean, does it talk to you or something?" added Johnson's friend, sophomore Sydney Espada.