University officials were banned from using (fossil fuels | artificially hydrogenated lipids | fax machines) for a week. "we just wanted them to see the impact these technologies have on their lives."
Yep, I think it won't work either (too many holes in their ban).
However I would have really wished for the University to use this chance to carry a proper experiment, gathering data, analysing them, etc. They are a university, after all! They got a chance to study the effect of the ban on people's activities and behaviour... why not try to collect some data?
I think 24 hours would be long enough to get the point across. I expect 100% of the students at that university will find other access during the week, but if he kept it to a length that the ADD addled brains of college students could possibly have a chance of withstanding I think he'd have much better results. Interesting idea though.