NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/alt/comp/acadfre/talk/3417

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From: [e-mail] (J S Greenfield)
Subject: CAF Archive Recent Changes -- policies/statements
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 00:41:46 GMT
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Recent Changes to the
* Computers and Academic Freedom (CAF) Archive -- policies and statements

The CAF Archive is an electronic library of information about
computers and academic freedom.

If you have gopher, the archive is browsable with the command:
  gopher -p academic/law gopher.eff.org

It is available via anonymous ftp to ftp.eff.org (192.88.144.4) in
directory "pub/academic". It is also available via email. For
information on email access send email to [e-mail]. In
the body of your note include the lines "help" and "index".

For more information, to make contributions, or to report typos
contact J.S. Greenfield ([e-mail]).

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/bostonu.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Boston U. -- Critique

Critique of the ethics policy for Boston University Information Technology

Summary: 'In the name of protecting privacy, the policy attacks
privacy. It says the University has the power to "without notice, ...
inspect ... any data [or] file". It imposes speech restrict[ion]s that
would be ridiculed if applied to the campus as a whole. It says the
user may not "mak[e] accessible offensive [or] annoying material"'

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/eng.hawaii.edu
=================
* Edu -- U. of Hawaii -- College of Eng

College of Engineering Computer Facility Policy on Computer Usage and
User Responsibilities
-- University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Engineering
(critiqued)

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/eng.hawaii.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- U. of Hawaii -- College of Eng. -- Critique

Critique of College of Engineering Computer Facility Policy on
Computer Usage and User Responsibilities
-- University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Engineering

"The policy seems to be a pretty good attempt at making the rules
explicit.  Several parts of the policy, however, likely violates legal
and moral requirements for due process, privacy, free expression, and
user participation."

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/engr.uky.edu
=================
* Edu -- U. of Kentucky -- Eng. Computing Cen -- Draft

An unofficial, draft of a "Student Access and Use Policy"
critiqued

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/ethics.iastate.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Iowa State U. -- Ethics -- Critique

"This is a critique of Computer Ethics Statement for Iowa State
University. The due process protection of the policy is good. The
privacy protection is unclear. Free expression protection is poor.
(The policy imposes speech restrictions on email and other computer
media. Specifically, it prohibits rude expression and any expression
of a political nature. In my opinion, these speech restrictions
violate academic freedom and the law.)"

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/mankato.msus.edu
=================
* Edu -- Minnesota -- Mankato State U.

Mankato State University's "Policy on Academic Computer Usage" as posted at
the Academic Computer Center.  It says in part,

"The faculty/staff of the University reserves the right to examine files
and accounting system information generated through student use of the
University computing facilities.

"Academic computing resources on the Mankato State University Campus
are for use in the instructional, research, and outreach activities of
the University only."

(Critiqued)


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/mankato.msus.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Minnesota -- Mankato State U. -- Critique

Comments on Mankato State University's "Policy on Academic Computer Usage" as
posted at the Academic Computer Center.

One comment suggests that part of the policy is "so vague as to be
unenforceable..."

Another critique says,

"These statments lead me to believe that your philosophy behind the policy
is that students are only allowed to use the computers for _specific_ class
projects."

and,

"Students may not send e-mail, read news, write programs other than
those assigned, experiment with the OS or languages, use word proccessors
except as required for the assignments."


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/metu.bitnet.critique
=================
* Turkey -- Middle East Technical U. -- Critique

This is a critique of the Computer Policy of Middle East Technical
University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. Most of my references are to US
centered documents, the ones to which I am most familar.

The METU policy provides no due process protection and bans much
speech. In this, it is similar to some of policies of universities
such as Iowa State, U. of Texas, and U. of Illinois. In contrast to
these the U.S. speech restrictions, METU's bans are clear and (as far
as I know) legal.

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/mu.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Marquette U. -- Critique

Critique of Policy on Authorized Use of M.U. Public Computer Systems. Marquette
University is a private religious university.

Computer Services presupposes that anyone it accuses of misuse is in
fact an offender. It sounds as if a user could be permanently expelled
from the system without ever having a chance to speak, without the
chance of a formal hearing, and without an opportunity to appeal.


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/ncsa.uiuc.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- U. of Illinois -- NCSA -- Critique

Critique of the email policy for the National Center for Supercomputer
Applications, a department of the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign

Summary: "Although the policy offers much good advice and addresses
legitimate security concerns, it is overly broad and vague.  Moreover,
it is inconsistent with the principles of Academic Freedom,
Constitutional rights, and University policies with respect to freedom
of expression and privacy." The policy does not provide for due
process. It makes criticizing the NCSA or the University in email,
grounds for a email search.

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/nwnetuse.txt
=================
* Net -- Northwestnet

NorthWestNet acceptable use policy

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/old.bostonu.edu
=================
* Edu -- Boston U. -- Old

Ethics policy for Boston University Information Technology


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/pitt.edu
=================
* Edu -- U. of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh Guidelines for Ethical Use from "User's
Guide to Academic Computing" and Computer Access and Use policy

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/princeton.edu
=================
* Edu -- Princeton U. -- C.I.T.

1992-1993 Guidelines for use of Campus and Network Computing Resources
maintained by the Office of Computing and Information Technology at
Princeton University.  In part, it states that "Abusive or harassing
behavior, verbal or physical, which demeans, intimidates, threatens, or
injures another because of his or her personal characteristics or beliefs
is subject to University disciplinary sanctions...."
(Critiqued)


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/princeton.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Princeton U. -- C.I.T. -- Critique

Critiques of the 1992-1993 Guidelines for use of Campus and Network Computing
Resources maintained by the Office of Computing and Information Technology at
Princeton University.

One critique notes that "The policy does not address due process...user privacy
and university searches at all."

Another critique, from an individual at Princeton, offers some additional
insight into the meaning of the policy.

A third critique says, in part "...who is it to determine the border between
reasonable use and misuse? The whole policy does not state any means of dealing
with conflicts."

A fourth critique suggests that Princeton could adopt a workstation-locking
policy similar to that of MIT.  "MIT's Athena workstation policy is that you
can lock it for no more than 20 minutes before someone can feel free to reboot
it or otherwise 'forcibly unlock' it."


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/rice.edu
=================
* Edu -- Rice U.

Computer policies for Rice University, especially Owlnet. (Rice is a
private University in Houston, Texas.) Interesting features include a
Sys Admin Statement of Ethics and student committee that advises on
policy and handles some of the discipline.
(critiqued)
=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/rice.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Rice U. -- Critique

Critique of the Rice University System Administrator Statement of Ethics.
It says in part,

"Strong parts of the statement keep users informed and limit the cases
when a user's files can be modified.  The statement could be improved by
distinguishing between different reasons for sys admin access to files...
and by detailing the authorization, notification, and documentation
requirements for each.  As it stands, the policy seem[s] incompatible with
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act."


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/rochester.edu
=================
* Edu -- University of Rochester

The College of Engineering's Computer Use Policy.  It says, in part

"In the normal course of system administration, the staff may have
to examine files, mail, and printer listings to gather sufficient
information to diagnose and correct problems with system software,
or to determine if a user is acting in violation of the policies set
forth in this document. The staff has the right to do this."

(critiqued)


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/rochester.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- University of Rochester -- Critique

Critiques of the College of Engineering's Computer Use Policy.  One
critique states, in part,

"Generally speaking, staff should respect privacy when possible.  If job
duties require staff to break privacy, then they should be bound by
confidentiality considerations.  Even confidentiality is not absolute."

Another critique states, in part,

"'Dragnets' are inappropriate management behavior."


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/stanford.edu
=================
* Stanford U. -- Netnews Selection Statements

"In 1989 rec.humor.funny was suppressed in some of the Stanford
University computers.  After a campaign it was re-installed in those
computers."

This file contains
1) the "Statement of Protest about the AIR Censorship of rec.humor.funny"
2) a statement by the Stanford faculty committee on libraries
3) Notes from Professor John McCarthy on how censorship was fought at Stanford

(also see "pub/academic/cases/jmcabstract")

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/udel.edu
=================
* Edu -- U. of Delaware

The Policy for Responsible Computing Use at the University of Delaware
This policy is the result of 61 months of work!  (also see
old.udel.edu, old.udel.edu.critique, old.very.udel.edu, and
old.very.udel.edu.critique.)
(critiqued)


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/udel.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- U. of Delaware -- Critique

Critique of the Policy for Responsible Computing Use at the University
of Delaware. Says that much of the policy seems vacuous.

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/unm.edu.pointer
=================
* Misc -- Pointer to and Index of U. of New Mexico Policy Archive

The files available via anonymous ftp from ariel.unm.edu in directory
/ethics.


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/virginia.pen.edu.critique
=================
* Net -- Virginia -- PEN -- Critique

Critique of Acceptable Use Policy Virginia's Public Edcuation Network (PEN).

Points out factual errors. Says that speech restrictions are unconstitutional.

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/policies/vt.edu.critique
=================
* Edu -- Virginia Tech -- Critique

Critique of Acceptable Usage Statement from Virgina Tech

Summary: The policy shows good user participation and due process.
Privacy could be improved by detailing the procedure by which searches
are authorized. Freedom of expression could be improved by removing
vague speech restrictions.


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/statements/caf-statement
=================
* Computer and Academic Freedom Statement -- Draft

This is an attempt to codify the application of academic freedom to
academic computers. It reflects our seven months of on-line discussion
about computers and academic freedom. It covers free expression, due
process, privacy, and user participation.

Comments and suggestions are very welcome (especially when posted to
CAF-talk). All the documents referenced are available on-line.
(Critiqued).

=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/statements/ontario.univ-ministry.memo
=================
* Ontario Ministry of Coll. and Univ. -- Offensive Computer Material

A memorandum from Deputy Minister Bernard Shapiro regarding the accessibility
of offensive materials from college and university computers, along with
additional clarification.  The memo says, in part "It is my expectation that
each institution will have policies and procedures in place to discourage the
use of its computer systems for access to, or sending of, racist and/or
pornographic material."

The clarification says, in part, that the "Ministry has no authority to
intervene in the universities...the universities are autonomous."


=================
ftp.eff.org:pub/academic/statements/rfc1244.txt
=================
* Site Security Handbook

This FYI RFC is a first attempt at providing Internet users guidance
on how to deal with security issues in the Internet.  As such, this
document is necessarily incomplete.