From kadie Tue May 14 01:15:50 1991
To: cafb-mail
Subject: Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Status: R
Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Tue May 14 01:15:35 EDT 1991
In this issue:
Sanjay Kapur
Subject: Re: Which Rights?
Message-Id: <4FCF515E64A02A50@ccmail.sunysb.edu>
X-Organization: State University of New York, Stony Brook
X-Vms-Cc: SKAPUR
>
>I would say that if the University can figure out how to itemize
>costs (say, for coffee at the talk) then let them pass those costs
>on. But until they do, especially, if the incremental cost are low,
>the use of those resource should be considered one of the benefits of
>paying tuition or of teaching.
The problem comes up with defining what is low. The cost of E-mail/news etc.
themselves can be and actually is itemized in some places as most large
computers have resource accounting packages.
>
>[As an aside, what if a school is so short of space that it can not
>provide space to students would like to invite an outside speaker. Can
>that school be a good university?]
Is it being implied that only students/staff/faculty at a "good" university
deserve academic freedom? or a university is not good unless it gives away
computing/network resources to all its members?
>] reason a University does not want to carry them is very similar to the reason
>] that a University Library normally does not carry XXX rated videos or Archie
>] comics (except maybe in some places as special collections)
>
>On a more specific note, many academic libraries do carry Playboy. And
>they will accept almost any donation
I know most libraries carry Playboy and that is why I chose my examples above,
I will restate that I do not know of any academic libraries that carry XXX
rated videos in their general collection.
> Thus, I would modify the rights list to say something like
>
>If the incremental cost is small then there is a
>> right to receive electronic mail and receive newsgroups
>> right to send mail and post notes to newsgroups
>And, in any case, mail and newsgroups shall not be censored
>
Who defines "incremental" and who defines "small"? These words, not being
absolutes, can lead to misinterpretaion on both sides.
>Under the principle of academic freedom, your tuition or work at a
>University *does* give you right to use certain resources to express
>your opinion (and to hear the opinion of others). Cost can be a
>legitimate reason for restricing resources, but the content of the opinion
>can not. (Thus, I can think of no legitimate reason for a university
>to make newsgroups read-only.)
Since we live in a relative world, what is a bigger censorship ?
1) eliminating news altogether
2) eliminating a particular newsgroup
3) deleting a particular article going in or out?
-------------
The following is not exactly relevant to this group but is a connected side
issue since the American Library Association and Usenet have been mentioned:
As a taxpayer we also have a right to ask the local public library to also
carry Usenet. I am curious and want to know if anyone has attempted to get
public libraries involved. It will solve a few problems and will increase
the Usenet audience substantially.
I am sorry if I disagree with a lot of people on this topic but although there
is a lot of overlap, most of the issues discussed in Usenet are much more
appropriate for a public library than for a University.
Sanjay Kapur |Internet: Sanjay.Kapur@sunysb.edu
Systems Staff, Computing Services, |Bitnet: SKAPUR@USB
State University of New York, |SPAN/HEPnet: 44132::SKAPUR
Stony Brook, NY 11794-2400 |Phone:(516)632-8029, FAX:(516)632-8046
-------------------
Date: Sun, 12 May 91 18:58:03 -0400
From: kadie (Carl Kadie)
Message-Id: <9105122258.AA20974@eff.org>
Subject: RE: Which rights?
Summary: Privacy
>Privacy
> information in a users disk files is private
> (the user may not own the disk, but he or she does own the information)
> email is private
> warrants must be obtained prior to searches
] Are the contents of your office wooden or steel desk private? Can the
] University remove or open your desk or file cabinet? Under what
] circumstances? ( I mean dEsk not dIsk) Are the contents your
] secretary's desk private? What if your secretary also happens to be a
] student?
and
] I can't agree with your inclusion of privacy rights under the heading
] academic freedom. I work for a tax-supported university. All of the
] documents I create as part of my work, including letters, are the property
] of the university and are public documents. That is, access to the
] contents of those documents is a matter of university policy and has
] nothing to do with my personal privacy. I can't see that any different
] standard would apply to electronic documents.
As matter of fact my desk is private. When I lived in the dorm, by
dorm room was private. Here what the the Joint Statement on Rights and
Freedoms of Students says:
'1. Except under extreme emergency circumstances, premises occupied
by students and the personal possessions of students should not be
searched unless appropriate authorization has been obtained. For
premises such as residence halls controlled by the institution, an
appropriate and responsible authority should be designated to whom
application should be made before a search is conducted. The
application should specify the reasons for he search and the objects
or information sought. The student should be present, if possible,
during the search. For premises not controlled by the institution,
the ordinary requirements for lawful search should be followed.'
Here is what my Univerity's student code says:
"IV. Privacy
A. Members of the University community have the same rights of
privacy as other citizens and surrender none of those rights by
becoming members of the academic community. These rights of privacy
extend to residence hall living. Nothing in University regulations or
contracts shall give University officials authority to consent to a
search by police or other government officials of offices assigned or
living quarters leased to individuals except in response to a properly
executed search warrant or search incident to an arrest.
B. When the University seeks access to an office assigned or living
quarters leased to an individual to determine compliance with
provisions of applicable multiple-dwelling unit laws, ordinances, and
regulations, or for improvement or repairs, the occupant shall be
notified of such action not less that twenty-four hours in advance.
There may be entry without notice in emergencies where imminent
danger to life, safety, health, or property is reasonably feared and
for custodial service.
C. The University may not conduct or permit a search of an office
assigned or living quarters leased to an individual except in
response to a properly executed search warrant or search incident to
an arrest."
Also, if you work for a public university you also have a constitutional
right to privacy. [From the ACLU handbook on the rights of teachers]
"An anonymous cartoon had appeared in a local newspaper ridiculing the
financial and personnel policies of the Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Board of
Education by depicting the board members a poker players, apparently
gambling away emplyees' salaries and jobs. Suspecting the guidance
counselor as the offending cartoonist, a board member entered the
guidance counselor's school at night, found a janitor with a pass key,
directed him to unlook the door to the guidance counselor's suite, and
observing a slightly opened drawer in the guidance counselor's disk,
pulled it completely open, revealing copies of the cartoon. The court
ruled that this action violated the guidance counselor's Fourth
Amendment rights." [This case is very similar to the incident which
apparently motivated the NCSA's policy.]
-------------------
Date: Mon, 13 May 91 09:20:44 -0500
Message-Id: <9105131420.AA12458@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
From: ahlevy@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
Subject: email privacy policies at universities??
Cc: kadie@eff.org (Carl Kadie)
I am interested in presenting a cogent case why email should be private.
Accordingly, it would be helpful to me if those of you at
universities/colleges which have a defined policy (not your opinion,
please, although that is clearly valuable, but not in this context),
relating to email privacy send me either a statement of the policy, or the
name and address of the person who can provide me with a statement of the
policy. Please try to distinguish between privacy of email and censorship
on bulletin boards; it is the former I wish to inquire about now.
If you do not know if your university has a policy, but if it does have a
committee dealing with privacy, I would be interested in the contact
person.
Thanks for your your help.
Allan H. Levy
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
***************
Allan H. Levy, M.D.
Department of Medical Information Science
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign
506 S. Mathews
Urbana IL 61801
(217)333-9181 (voice)
(217)333 8868 (FAX)
-------------------
Date: Mon, 13 May 91 11:42:28 EDT
From: Joe Brennan
Subject: Re: Which Rights?
Message-Id:
Carl Kadie quoted from the American Library Association's Freedom to Read
Statement--
> The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously
> under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the
> country are working to remove books from sale, to censor textbooks, to label
> "controversial" books, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books
> or authors, and to purge libraries. ...
When the ALA makes statements in this area, they usually intend to defend
the librarian's right to manage the collection. Managing includes
decisions about which books to acquire and which to discard. Librarians
typically oppose special interests who try to bend the collection to meet
their agendas. The librarian attempts to create a balanced collection.
The problem is that no library can acquire and keep everything. The
librarian must constantly make value judgements about books, and the
judgement has to weigh heavily the purpose of the particular library.
Academic libraries have to support the subjects taught at the college or
university; special libraries in other organizations are often highly
limited in scope. Public libraries escape that sort of limitation, but
usually do not collect any topic in depth and usually discard older books
to make way for the new.
The relationship of library policy to newsgroups can be carried only so
far. Getting all newsgroups is actually a possible goal, unlike getting
all books. Discarding old material is standard. Newsgroups seem to me
more like mail or speech than a library collection.
> [ALA:] These actions apparently rise from a view that our
> national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and
> suppression are needed to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption
> of morals.
A topic for another day is whether the First Amendment is really a national
tradition, or is to this day a truly radical statement that most Americans
do not support without qualifications.
> [ALA:] The censors, public and private, assume that they
> should determine what is good and what is bad for their fellow citizens.
But the librarian does determine what is good and bad for the collection
he/she manages. At best this means determining which books are useful to
the population being served. Libraries usually take requests but usually
reserve the right to decide.
Political factors do affect judgement. A librarian may decide to acquire
something an influential professor wants, to get the professor's support
later. This is difficult area, because the professor's motivation may be a
well-informed decision to get the best books into the collection, or a
selfish desire to cover his pet subtopic in depth. It is not clear to me
what weight the public have on public library decisions. The public
librarian may face a difficult ethical choice to select or not select a few
things to please influential people (Library board, government and private
funding sources), to assure support for other things.
> [Carl:] On a more specific note, many academic libraries do carry
> Playboy. And they will accept almost any donation (absorbing the
> relatively small cost of cataloging and storing the material).
Not small. Columbia University Libraries for example estimate acquisition
costs over $20 per piece for cataloging and physical preparation. Donors
of collections who include cash are more likely to succeed. Gift books are
not "free" and are picked over carefully, to see whether the prep cost is
worth adding the item.
Storage is no joke either. It's been a couple of years since I got near
the figures, but when we had to open an Annex storage facility at Columbia,
I got a sense of the cost of keeping all the old stuff we have, and I
remember being surprised at how much it was. If any practicing librarians
are on this list, maybe they have access to typical figures. The costs
come to light mainly when buildings have to be expanded or replaced.
Public libraries usually keep only current, well-used stuff, and therefore
grow very slowly in total size. Even some small colleges weed old books
thoroughly. Only research collections keep as much as possible.
> [Quoting someone:] I used to be system manager at a mathematics dept. at
> ] a big ten school. We were consistently short on disk space (isn't
> ] everyone?). For that reason, I decided not to get a newsfeed of
> ] alt.sex.pictures...
> [Carl:] I see limiting access of a newsgroup based on volume (e.g.
> alt.sex.pictures) as much better than limiting access based on content
> (e.g. alt.sex, rec.humor.funny.)
No, both volume and content matter. A high-volume Mathematics group would
be more desirable, in this context, than low-volume groups on miscellaneous
subjects. The main object in the case cited would be to get all newsgroups
related to the mission of the organization, a Math department. It would
be -nice- to get others too, but not essential.
I suppose this leads to generalizing that a University-wide system should
similarly get first all newsgroups that actually relate to its various
missions, and then, second, any others that can be handled. It's probably
simpler to just get all of them. If there are space problems,
alt.sex.pictures would have to be high on the list of groups to drop,
because it's both high volume and silly. Any just-for-fun groups-- and I do
enjoy a few immensely-- are in a weak position when space runs short.
Agreed, though, that a Good University would have space on some central
system to get everything.
--Joseph Brennan
From kadie Thu May 16 01:05:32 1991
To: cafb-mail
Subject: Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Status: R
Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Thu May 16 01:05:22 EDT 1991
In this issue:
"Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105160259.AA03505@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: From Regulations to Rights: The Maturation of Policy
Most university policies on computing resources are heavy on
prohibitions and light on permissions. (Look, for example, at the
policies collected in CAF archive available via anonymous ftp from
eff.org in directory academic/widener). I believe that there is a
natural evolution from no policy, to an informal policy, to an overly
proscriptive policy, to a policy that balances rights and
responsibilities.
I see this pattern everywhere, even in the evolution of the modern
nation; however, I would like to describe a more mundane instance, the
evolution of university student policy. Understanding this example
should help us predict and guide the course of academic computer
policy.
For my case study, I've looked at the student policy of the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a public, land-grant and research
university. In the material below, idented paragraphs are quotes
[execpt for my comments in square brackets].
The 1904 "Regulations for the Guidance of Undergraduate Students"
starts out on a high note:
In connecting himself with the University, the student neither
looses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of the citizen.
As far as due process, it says that a student can be suspended from
any class by the instructor for "sufficient reason" for up to three
days, and that such suspensions shall be reported immediately to the
President.
Here are some other regulations:
35. Smoking is not permitted in any of the public buildings of the
University.
...
37. [S]ubjecting fellow-students to indignities of any character
is a violation of university discipline. [This is a reference to
hazing.]
38. The posting or distributing of advertisements of university
occurrences, entertainments, etc, in saloons is forbidden.
...
40. The Council of Administration will summarily discipline any
student found guilty of betting, of frequenting saloons, or of becoming
intoxicated.
...
Meetings In University Buildings
...
44. No society or association may be organized among the students
of the University without permission of the Council of Administration,
and no change in the character of the regulations of such society or
association may be made without such permission.
45. The Council reserves the right to withdraw its authorization
from any society of students, if, in its judgment, the well-being of
the University requires such action.
...
49. No public entertainment or exhibition may be given by students
except by permission of the Council of Administration. After
permission is obtained the dates for such entertainments or
exhibitions must be entered at the President's office, at least two
weeks before their occurrence, and all programs for the same must be
approved by the Dean of Undergraduates or, in the case of a women's
meeting, by the Dean of Women.
The 1908 Regulations are about the same except that they
now cover the student newspaper, the Daily Illini. The paper
is run "Board of Control" made up of two faculty members
(appointed by the Council of Administration), three students
(elected by the readership), and editor and business manager
(also students). The regulations say:
78. 4. The Board of Control shall consider and decide questions
relative to the size, price, contents, and general policy of the
paper.
By 1911, the Daily Illini had become a not-for-profit corporation
(subject to the general authority of the Council of Administration).
The trustees of the corporation were three faculty (appointed by the
Council) and three elected students. The trustees selected (and could
fire) staff and decided the relative space given to various classes of
contents.
By 1930, the rules had changed a bit:
62. Organizations with Secret Memberships -- A student who is a
member of any student organization which maintains a secret membership
or who is affiliated which such an organization is subject to
University discipline.
...
[Smoking was prohibited not just from University buildings, but
also from the University grounds]
...
64. Use of Intoxicating Liquors; Betting -- (a) Any student who is
guilty of betting, illegally using intoxicating liquors [this was
during Alcohol Prohibition], or immoral conduct is subject to
dismissal from the University.
...
66. Civil Offenses -- Any student fined or imprisoned by the
civil authorities thereby becomes liable to University discipline.
...
Living Quarters
70. Living Quarters of Students -- No unmarried undergraduate
student may occupy living quarters in which there does no reside some
person in general charge approved by the University.
...
74. The Woman's Building Reserved for Women Students -- The Woman's
building may not be used for regular meetings of clubs and similar
organizations, unless they are composed exclusively of women of the
University.
75. Initiations on the Campus -- Student organizations, including
literary societies, are permitted to use University buildings and
grounds for the purpose of conducting initiations only on condition
that all horseplay and the like shall be eliminated from the programs
of such initiations.
...
[The number of Daily Illini's board members (formally trustees) was
up to eight, four appointed faculty and four students. A quorum was
made up of four members and tie votes were decided by the Council of
Administration.]
...
APPENDIX II - LIBRARY REGULATIONS
Use of Books -- The Library is primarily for free reference use.
In 1932 the size of the regulations was cut from 77 pages to 14 pages.
The introductory paragraph about being a citizen was cut. All of the
disciplinary rules were condensed to one rule:
27. Basis for Discipline -- A student may be disciplined for any
conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the University. Any
student fined or imprisoned by the civil authorities becomes liable to
University discipline.
[The no-smoking-on-campus (even outdoors) rule also survived the
cut; as did the rule requiring supervision of undergraduate living
quarters.]
At about the same time the Regulations was cut, a new booklet was
created. This was the Code of Student Affairs. [The earliest copy of
the Code that I could find in the library was from 1950].
By 1938, smoking was allowed outside, in smoking rooms, and at
dances.
By 1944, the "Basis of Discipline" had gotten a tiny bit more
specific:
26. Basis for Discipline -- The University reserves the right to
exclude at any time students whose conduct is deemed undesirable or
prejudicial to the University community's best interest, example of
which, without excluding others, are gambling, visiting or loitering
in the vicinity of places of ill-repute, violations of law involving
moral turpitude, intoxication, and disorderly conduct. Students may be
subject to discipline for other sufficient cause.
The 1950 Regulations are almost identical to the 1944 Regulations.
The biggest difference is that smoking was allowed in offices
and first-floor hallways.
The 1950 Code on Student Affairs provides more information. It
details the organization of the student senate and regulates
student organizations. For example, it says:
Article 4 - Unrecognized Organizations -- V. Section 13 --
Forbidden Organizations -- Organizations with purposes or practices
contrary to morality, to education, or to public or University
welfare, or with a secret membership will not be permitted to exist on
the campus.
214z
The chapter on University Facilities says that student organization
may use University rooms for purposes approved by the Committee on
Student Affairs. Also, that noncommercial notices (including
room-for-rent, etc) may be posted to University bulletin
boards if the notice is signed and dated.
In 1956, the size of the "Basis of Discipline" section in the
Regulations tripled as two paragraphs prohibiting intoxicants from
undergraduate housing and from the activities of undergraduate
organizations were added.
In 1958, an administrative order of the President set down
rules for visiting speakers. The rules are prefaced with this:
The University of Illinois Statutes (Section 39a) state, "It is
the policy of the University to maintain and encourage full freedom
within the law, of inquiry, discourse, teaching, research, and
publication ..." Consistent with this policy the Senate Committee on
Visiting Speakers will maintain the tradition of full freedom of
discourse for visiting speakers within the limitations imposed by
law, rules of the Board of Trustees, University regulations, and the
welfare of the University.
[With classic doublethink, it then probibits full discource:]
1. Subversive Organizations. The Illinois Statutes provide [...]:
No Trustee, official, instructor, or other employee of the University
of Illinois shall extend to any subversive, seditious, and un-American
organization, or to its representatives, the use of any facilities of
the University for the purpose of carrying on, advertising, or
publicizing the activities of such organization."
[It also requires that student organizations get approval before
having in a visiting speaker.]
In 1959, the "Basis of Discipline" again increased as three
paragraphs were added:
Unauthorized mass demonstrations are not approved by the
University. In the event of any unauthorized assembly, any student
involved as an inciter, leader, *or as a follower* [the "*"'s
mark italics in the original] is a participant and is subject to
University discipline.
Any student who alters or mutilates any official document
of the University, i.e. identification card, program card, charge
slip, receipt, transcript of credits, etc., is subject to dismissal.
Any student withholding information or giving false information on
his application for admission or readmission may become ineligible for
admission to the University or subject to dismissal.
Also in 1959, the purpose of the library changed. Before it was for
free reference use, now:
The Library exists primarily in order to circulate books to the
faculty and student body of the University.
The house regulations also changed in 1959, unmarried undergraduate
students were required to live in housing approved by the University.
The Code on Undergraduate Student Affairs of 1963 starts out: "The
guiding principle underlying any student regulation of the University
of Illinois is its contribution to the best interests of the majority
of the students of the University." It says that recognition of a
student organization can be "refused or withdrawn at any time because
of policies or practices inimical [meaning hostile or harmful] to
education or to the best interests of the University, excessive fees
or dues, inactivity or noncompliance with University regulations."
Organizations with secret memberships are still forbidden.
In 1961, the Trustees added this to the rules on visiting speakers:
2. Political Speakers. University building and grounds shall not be
used for political purposes except for candidates for nomination or
election to state-wide or national offices may appear in person to
make political address.
In the 1964 Regulations, mass demonstrations where still prohibited.
Some picketing and distribution of printed material was, however,
allowed. Distribution of printed material was allowed, for example,
if:
1) Individuals or groups responsible for distribution of printed
materials must be identified
2) Distribution of such materials inside buildings is prohibited,
except at properly authorized meetings and then only with the consent
of the group sponsoring the meeting.
[...]
Between 1960 and 1964, the administration of discipline also changed,
for the first time, students were guaranteed:
b. Notification -- (1) The student is notified in writing in
advance of the time and place of his hearing before the Subcommittee,
of the precise nature of the charges against him, of his rights, and
of the possible penalties that might be imposed. (2) The Student is
informed in writing of the decision of the Subcommittee.
c. Admissible Evidence -- (1) The student is invited to review in
advance the evidence that will be introduced at his hearing. (2) --
the Subcommittee excludes from its consideration any evidence except that
presented at the hearing.
d. Appeals of Subcommittee Decisions -- (1) The Senate Committee
on Discipline may hear cases appealed to it. [...] paragraph b.) (2)
Any student seeking an appeal from the decision of a Subcommittee on
Student Discipline is granted that privilege.
By 1971, more student rights were recognized. Seniors could live
were they pleased and no student's housing had to be supervised by
someone approved by the University. In addition, all students
were allowed to regulate their own hours, subject to house rules
and procedures.
The "Basis of Discipline" section was now almost five pages long. The
University still forbid any "conduct deemed undesirable" including
loitering in the vicinity of places of ill repute. Unauthorized
demonstrations were no longer banned, but disruptive or coercive
actions at such demonstrations were. (In fact, you could lose
your federal financial aid if you took part in a disruptive
demostration.)
In September of 1971 everything changed. The Chancellor approved the
Statement on Individual Rights. For the first time since 1931 students
were explicitly recognized as citizens. The Statement begins:
STATEMENT ON INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS -- I. Preamble -- A student at the
University of Illinois at the Urbana-Champaign campus is a member of
the University community of which all members have at least the rights
and responsibilities common to all citizens, free from institutional
censorship; [...]
Any rules or regulations considered necessary to govern the
interaction of the members of the University community are intended to
reflect values which the community members must share in common if the
purpose of the community to advance education and to enhance the
educational development of students is to be fulfilled. These values
include the freedom to learn, free and open expression within limits
that do not interfere with the rights of others, free and
disinterested inquiry, intellectual honesty, sustained and independent
search for truth, the exercise of critical judgment, respect for the
dignity of others, and personal and institutional openness to
constructive change. The following enumeration of rights shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by these individuals in
their capacity as members of the campus community or as citizens of
the community at large.
[Freedom of expression was guaranteed:]
A. Discussion and expression of all views is permitted within the
University subject only to requirements for the maintenance of order.
[...]
B. Members and organizations in the University community may invite
and hear any persons of their own choosing, subject only to reasonable
requirements on time, place, and manner for use of University
facilities.
C. The campus press and media are to be free of censorship. The
editors and managers shall not be arbitrarily suspended because of
student, faculty, administration, alumni, or community disapproval of
editorial policy or content.
The right to peaceful protest was also recognized, as was privacy.
Even within University-owned dorms and offices, a search warrant would
be required before a search could be made. Student were allowed to
form organizations for any purpose and the membership lists of such
organizations could be kept confidential. Students were allowed to
invite any person of their choosing to speak, "The University's
control of campus facilities should not be used as a device of
censorship. It should be made clear to the academic and larger
community that sponsorship of guest speakers does not necessarily
imply approval or endorsement of the views expressed either by the
sponsoring group or the institution."
The rules for handout materials changed (kind of):
A. Any individual may distribute leaflets, handbills, samples, and
other type materials without prior approval [but not inside some
buildings. Also you can't litter.]
[...]
C. Those distributing such materials should be aware that nothing
in this policy in any way relieves them of personal responsibility for
violation of civil laws.
In 1972 the Code on Campus Affairs and the Regulations were combined
into one booklet. The first part, Code, included the Statement on
Individual Rights. The second part, Regulation, included provisions,
some of which contradicted the code. For example, the code still
required that groups distritbuting printed handout material be
identified. Also, it still allowed the University to punish students
for any "sufficient cause" including, but not limited to "loitering in
the vicinity of places of ill repute."
In 1973 the contradictions were fixed. Rules about handout material
were removed from the Regulation part of the booklet. The any "sufficient
cause" paragraph was replaced by a new section:
It is in the best interest of the University of Illinois and all
persons who are students or who may desire to become students at the
Urbana-Champaign campus that the basis for discipline at this campus
be clearly defined. The University discipline system recognizes that
not all violations of local, state, and federal law effect the
interests of the University community, and that discipline system
accepts jurisdiction only in those instances in the University
community's interest is substantially affected. The University
discipline system may take action only upon the following bases:
1. Students Currently Enrolled
a. Academic violations
b. Violations of the the University vehicular or bicycle regulations
c. Appeals and referrals from student judiciaries arising from
violations of regulations.
d. All actions that occur on University premises or property and
that result in violation of local, state, or federal law or Board of
Trustees' action or any University rule of conduct
e. All actions that violate any of the laws or regulations cited in
Section d above and that substantially affect the University
community's interest, even though such actions do no occur on
University property
f. All cases referred to the discipline system following summary
suspension by the Chancellor.
Since 1973, there has been little need for change. In 1983 the
purpose of the library changed again. Now it "exists primarily to
circulate material [was "books"] to the faculty and student body of
the University. More recently, smoking was banned indoors if smokers
and nonsmokers might both be there.
Over time the University's has given more and more protection to
freedom of expression, freedom of association, and privacy. Also, the
University has gone from vague prohibitions against any "conduct
deemed undesirable" to explicitly listing prohibited conduct. (It says
that clearly defined policies are in everyone's best interest).
Today, on this campus, the Directory of NCSA can order a
search of a users disk space if he thinks that it might contain
clues about email that "attempt[ed] to disadvantage NCSA". I think
this policy is literally 20 years behind the times.
Inevitably computer policy will come into line with general University
code. I hope that unstanding the history of University policy will
make this happen sooner rather than later.
From kadie Fri May 17 11:17:23 1991
To: cafb-mail
Subject: Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Status: R
Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Fri May 17 11:17:08 EDT 1991
In this issue:
"Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105161620.AA16521@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat
[I also posted "Regulation to Rights" to uiuc.general, a local
newsgroup. I'm reposting this reply with permission of the author. - Carl]
/* Written 8:47 am May 16, 1991 by paul@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu in m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
/* ---------- "Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat" ---------- */
kadie@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie) writes:
(Lots of interesting words deleted down to the last paragraphs)
>Today, on this campus, the Director of NCSA can order a
>search of a users disk space if he thinks that it might contain
>clues about email that "attempt[ed] to disadvantage NCSA". I think
>this policy is literally 20 years behind the times.
>
>Inevitably computer policy will come into line with general University
>code. I hope that understanding the history of University policy will
>make this happen sooner rather than later.
One thing that may help them change their mind is pressure from the
marketplace. After every NCSA job posting in misc.jobs.offered, I
post a followup offering my "working at UofI" posting that includes
a description of the NCSA policy. For those interested, the latest
version is in uxc.cso.uiuc.edu:pub/working_at_UofI via anon-FTP.
An email policy such as NCSA's is about as popular with computer
professionals as urine tests are at Motorola.
/pbp
--
Paul Pomes, Computing Services Office
University of Illinois - Urbana
/* End of text from m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
-------------------
Date: Thu, 16 May 91 11:29:03 -0500
From: "Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105161629.AB06181@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Working at U of I
[In his reply to "Regulations to Rights", Paul Pomes mentions the
importance of telling potential NCSA job applicants about the NCSA's
policies. Here is his note that does just that. (It also provides
other info about working at the University of Illinois. Reposted with
permission of the author. - Carl]
Reading job advertisements from the University of Illinois can be a bit
like reading the sed man page. A great deal of data is present, but
without an understanding of the context in which the printed words are
operational you may be hard pressed to put the information to practical
use. Although I am very happy with my position at the UofI there are
certain "contextual" issues that, from a new employee's viewpoint, I could
have handled better had I known about them beforehand. Other things can't
be changed, but forewarned is forearmed.
A typical job posting goes something like the following.
===========
Research Programmer (Consultant)
Primary Function of Position:
Provide consulting support for faculty and staff, write the great American
compiler, etc
Responsibilities:
key responsibility is to assist the user community
consulting with users,
demonstrating the use of University systems,
assisting UIUC research scientists in the development of
new computational methods,
installation and testing of applications
development of new network applications
staying caught up with net.noise
Qualifications:
Bachelors degree with one or more years experience or a Master
degree in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or related field.
This is a 12-month, 100%-time appointment with regular University benefits.
Start date is as soon as possible. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To ensure full consideration, please send letter of applications, resume
and the names of three references by May 10, 1991 to:
XXXX YYYYY
Some Dept
Search# ZZZZ
Some Street Address
Champaign, IL 61820
The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
===========
Everything after the Qualifications section is standard boilerplate and
is what needs to be explained. How the University hopes to attract good
people with such droll postings is a mystery.
>This is a 12-month, 100%-time appointment with regular University benefits.
Sounds like a 1 year position? No, it's a continuing position that you are
re-appointed to every year. Depending on the funding source (see below),
notice prior to termination increases with length of service.
100%-time is important - it qualifies you for benefits: vacation, medical,
dental, etc. Vacation is 24 days per year (5 weeks!). You can accumulate
a maximum of 48 days.
>Start date is as soon as possible. Salary is commensurate with experience.
If salary is important, negotiate as much up front as possible and get any
promises for a later advance in writing. Funds from the state and other
sources for pay increases have been thin the last few years. Because
University employees are paid with public funds, salaries are in the
public record. The main library has a book listing the salaries of all
state employees that's useful for determining a competitive salary. Ask
at the circulation desk for the "Academic Salary Book".
How you are paid is more important than how much. Positions funded from
"soft" money, e.g., grants, contracts, Federal funds, can be here today
and gone tomorrow. A position can be eliminated with two months notice
with less than four years of service.
"Hard" funded positions (state, auxillary, revolving accounts) require six
months notice that rises to twelve months after four years.
When it comes to your salary, leave nothing to chance!! If your first
paycheck is due on the 25th, go to your business office on the 10th, have
them check with payroll, and be certain that it will arrive. Get names!
If you are on a year by year appointment (especially soft money!!), go
check to see that your paperwork has been completed and forwarded to
payroll at least one month before your appointment expires. A friend with
ten years of service has had his renewal papers screwed up for two of them.
*Nobody* is watching over you but you!
The cost of living in Champaign-Urbana is much lower than most other
technology centers. A nice house in a settled neighborhood can be
found from $75K on up.
So much for reading the job advertisement. Here are some other issues
to be aware of:
* Use of Social Security number as University ID
This is pervasive and intractable. My only advice here if you don't like
the policy is not give out your SSN until another ID has been assigned.
One bit of irony is that full-time University employees are exempt from
Social Security withholding. They participate instead in SURS (State
University Retirement System). SURS is also severely underfunded by the
state and will have to start selling assets in a few years to meet
obligations.
* Conflict of interest reporting
Two different reports are required each year. One goes to the Sec'y of
State, the other is kept by the University. You will have to disclose
outside income, sale of property, business interests, etc. I find these
reports invasive yet annoying.
* Advance permission required before taking on outside work
This rule reveals how little the University trusts professional workers
to exercise good judgement.
* Oppressive policies in NCSA (Nat'l Ctr for Supercomputer Applications)
NCSA recently enacted a new email policy that permits examination of user
email files at the whim of the director. It also prohibits email that
"attempts to disadvantage NCSA".
* UofI ranks dead last in the Big-10 for benefits
The dental plan is nothing to write home about as little beyond routine
care is covered. It's also broke until the next fiscal year (July).
Adding dependents to the medical plan is expensive. Most medical plans
now require employee contributions. No tuition waivers for children or
spouses of full-time staff. Etc, etc.
* Limited opportunities for spouses
Champaign-Urbana is a medium-sized town with an abundance of educated
people with B.A.s and B.S.s. A spouse with just a bachelors degree
faces stiff competition for a white-collar job.
The University can't help the fact the weather can be god-awful at
times. There's never enough snow in the winter for cross-country
skiing. The July and August mix of 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity
are best endured by thinking how much worse it is in St. Louis. Spring
and fall are lovely even for an ex-Oregonian.
There are some real benefits to a University position. For me the big
one is the freedom to explore and develop interesting new services.
About a third of my time is self-directed and I've always had choices
about what occupies the other two-thirds.
But don't assume that this is always the case. If you have strong feelings
about your work environment ask skads of questions beforehand and don't
be afraid to negotiate. Ask to see where your desk will be; a friend was
once placed next to a hot, hissing autoclave. Another friend didn't even
get a desk for her first two months on the job - just a lab bench. Ask
around about your prospective employer's rep. There are many PI's
(Principal Investigator in grant-speak) with extraordinary turnover rates.
This does not go unnoticed among the ranks.
The University is a resource-rich environment. A particular interest
of mine is porting sendmail to as many platforms as possible. I've
found at least one of every box I've ever looked for plus permission
to work on them.
There's the Krannert Center of the Performing Arts (theatre, concerts,
etc) that occupies a full block on east campus. It's also expensive.
Staff and spouses can buy passes to the Intramural Physical Education Bldg
(IMPE) which has an indoor and outdoor Olympic-size pools, lots of racket
and squash courts, archery room, dance rooms, weight and exercise machine
rooms, etc. A campus bus system eliminates most of the need to drive on
campus (not that any sane person would want to). There are many restaurants
to choose from provided you like pizza, Italian or Chinese food. The pizza
and Chinese food is as good as you'll find anywhere.
The Urbana Free Library and Champaign Public Library are big pluses, too.
It's easy to find an apartment or rental house within walking distance
of either library and still walk to work. Few people spend more than
thirty minutes getting to work and that's from the nearby communities.
The University is well-connected to the Internet. There is both a
NSFnet DS3 (45 Mbit/s) backbone connection and a regional CICnet T1
link.
Champaign-Urbana is located two hours west of Indianapolis, three hours
south of Chicago and three and a half hours north-northeast of St. Louis.
Whether this is good, bad, or irrelevant is up to you.
/pbp
-------------------
Date: Thu, 16 May 91 12:19:51 -0400
Subject: Returned mail: Deferred: Connection timed out during user open with smectos.gang.umass.edu
Message-Id: <9105161619.AA11654@eff.org>
----- Transcript of session follows -----
554 0003751365@mcimail.com... 550 Host unknown (Authoritative answer from name server)
While talking to cwru.cwru.edu:
>>> DATA
<<< 554 Unable to deliver mail to given recipient(s)
554 junger@cwru.cwru.edu... Service unavailable
/home/kadie/cafin/Thu_May_16_12:24:56_EDT_1991.11671.caf
Greetings comp-academic-freedom-talk-request@eff.org
421 naucse.cse.nau.edu (TCP)... Deferred: Connection timed out during result wait with naucse.cse.nau.edu
421 smectos.gang.umass.edu (TCP)... Deferred: Connection timed out during user open with smectos.gang.umass.edu
----- Unsent message follows -----
Date: Thu, 16 May 91 11:20:44 -0500
From: "Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105161620.AA16521@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat
[I also posted "Regulation to Rights" to uiuc.general, a local
newsgroup. I'm reposting this reply with permission of the author. - Carl]
/* Written 8:47 am May 16, 1991 by paul@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu in m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
/* ---------- "Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat" ---------- */
kadie@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie) writes:
(Lots of interesting words deleted down to the last paragraphs)
>Today, on this campus, the Director of NCSA can order a
>search of a users disk space if he thinks that it might contain
>clues about email that "attempt[ed] to disadvantage NCSA". I think
>this policy is literally 20 years behind the times.
>
>Inevitably computer policy will come into line with general University
>code. I hope that understanding the history of University policy will
>make this happen sooner rather than later.
One thing that may help them change their mind is pressure from the
marketplace. After every NCSA job posting in misc.jobs.offered, I
post a followup offering my "working at UofI" posting that includes
a description of the NCSA policy. For those interested, the latest
version is in uxc.cso.uiuc.edu:pub/working_at_UofI via anon-FTP.
An email policy such as NCSA's is about as popular with computer
professionals as urine tests are at Motorola.
/pbp
--
Paul Pomes, Computing Services Office
University of Illinois - Urbana
/* End of text from m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
-------------------
Date: Thu, 16 May 91 13:42:09 -0500
From: "Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105161842.AA05953@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat
[Reposted with permission of the author - Carl]
/* Written 8:34 am May 16, 1991 by johnson@m.cs.uiuc.edu in m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
/* ---------- "Re: From Regulations to Rights: The Mat" ---------- */
Your general thesis, that the evolution of rules tends to follow a
certain pattern, is completely unsupported by this example. The
evolution in university rules follows *exactly* societal changes
that were taking place at the same time. People's opinions about
smoking and freedom of expression changed, and so did university
policy.
One of the biggest changes in the thinking of university administrators
was that they threw out the idea of "in loco parentis" (you can tell
I don't know Latin) which meant that the school had to take the place
of parents. In the old days, the relationship between school leaders
and students was supposed to be like that between parents and children.
The leaders were responsible for what the students did. This died out
in the 60's.
Note that I am not criticising your analysis of the present situation
at NCSA, just your analysis of history./* End of text from m.cs.uiuc.edu:uiuc.general */
From kadie Sat May 18 12:28:57 1991
To: cafb-mail
Subject: Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Status: R
Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Sat May 18 12:28:48 EDT 1991
In this issue:
rsk@gynko.circ.upe : Re: Which
"Carl M. Kadie"
Subject: Re: Which Rights?
Date: Fri, 17 May 91 13:25:08 EDT
Organization: Cardiothoracic Imaging Research Center, Hospital of UPenn
X-Queued-Mail: 601messages
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Carl Kadie writes:
>Under the principle of academic freedom, your tuition or work at a
>University *does* give you right to use certain resources to express
>your opinion (and to hear the opinion of others). Cost can be a
>legitimate reason for restricing resources, but the content of the opinion
>can not. (Thus, I can think of no legitimate reason for a university
>to make newsgroups read-only.)
I agree that the content of the opinion cannot be used to bar access
to it -- whether that access is read-only or read/write. But
"certain resources" is the key. I'm not free to use the Penn football
field for soccer practice, or to use the theatre organ in Irvine auditorium
to try out my latest composition. These restrictions do not impose
on my academic freedom -- they're neutrally-valued limits designed to
provide for the orderly operation of the university. (E.g. Penn doesn't
care whether I'm going to play something classical or something resembling
Motley Crue; the answer is "No, you can't play this instrument.")
Is news one of those "certain resources" that my work here gives me
the right to use to express my opinion? I don't think so, largely
because it's not even mentioned in the faculty/staff handbook -- in contrast
to facilities such as the library, recreational gym, meeting rooms, etc.
Should it be mentioned? And/or do I have the implicit right to use it simply
because Penn provides it? I'm really not sure. But of course, that's one
of the reasons this list exists and we discuss these things. ;-)
---Rsk
-------------------
Date: Sat, 18 May 91 00:33:56 -0500
From: "Carl M. Kadie"
Message-Id: <9105180533.AA15472@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: Which Rights?
Summary: Newsgroups are already covered by library policy
Joe Brennan writes
> The relationship of library policy to newsgroups can be carried only so
> far. Getting all newsgroups is actually a possible goal, unlike getting
> all books. Discarding old material is standard. Newsgroups seem to me
> more like mail or speech than a library collection.
I would say the the purpose of a library is to circulate material, not
just to collect books. At least that is the stated purpose of the
academic library that I know the most about.
It is true that newsgroups (aka forums, notesfiles, echoes, etc) are
not books; rather they are periodicals (or, more precisely, serials).
As such, we don't need to make an analogy; they are already covered by
library policy (such as the American Library Association's Freedom To
Read statement).
In support of this assertions I offer three pieces of evidence
(detailed information is appended).
First, sci.psychology.digest was "selected as one of the best new
magazines of 1990 in the Library Journal's annual survey."
Second, for a subscription fee, ClariNet offers the same stories that
you might read in a printed newspaper. In fact, ClariNet calls itself
"the electronic newspaper for the USENET community".
Third, according to a note in PACS-L (the Public-Access Computer Systems [for
Libraries] forum), some of these "electronic journals" have ISSN numbers.
- Carl
enclosers:
-------
>From: harnad@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Stevan Harnad)
~Newsgroups: news.admin,news.misc
~Subject: Best Magazines of 1990 Selects Usenet Group
Message-ID: <5956@idunno.Princeton.EDU>
~Date: 5 Feb 91 04:31:57 GMT
Organization: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
sci.psychology.digest Selected As One of 1990's Best Magazines
The American Psychological Association's Press Office has just been
notified that sci.psychology.digest (PSYCOLOQUY on Bitnet), an
electronic journal sponsored by APA and implemented at Princeton, has
been selected as one of the best new magazines of 1990 in the Library
Journal's annual survey (by Bill Katz, to appear on April 15). This is
a tribute to Usenet and the electronic medium too, and we will
redouble our efforts to develop the net's vast potential in scholarly
communication.
Co-Editors:
Stevan Harnad Perry London
Visiting Fellow Dean
Psychology Department Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
Princeton University Rutgers University
Stevan Harnad Department of Psychology Princeton University
harnad@clarity.princeton.edu / harnad@pucc.bitnet / srh@flash.bellcore.com
harnad@learning.siemens.com / harnad@elbereth.rutgers.edu / (609)-921-7771
--
Path: m.cs.uiuc.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!nucsrl!tellab5!mcdchg!usenet
>From: brad@clarinet.com
Newsgroups: comp.newprod
Subject: ClariNet news to be available over PSI network
Summary: Local access to ClariNet feeds in many U.S. cities
Message-ID: <63214@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com>
Date: 17 May 91 16:58:06 GMT
Lines: 78
Approved: usenet@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com
ClariNet, the electronic newspaper for the USENET community, announces
that feeds of ClariNet's 150 newsgroups are now available from UUPSI, the
USENET feeding hub of Performance Systems International, Inc.
ClariNet offers an electronic newspaper in USENET format, consisting of
UPI wireservice news, sports, finance and technology news, plus Newsbytes
computer industry news, syndicated features and our computer stock report.
Over a megabyte of news flows daily, updated around the clock.
PSI offers dial-up UUCP and dial-up and dedicated TCP/IP networking. Though
UUPSI, they offer flat rate mail and news connections with local dial-up in
a number of cities for only $75/month. This feed can now include ClariNet
news for those who pay subscription fees to ClariNet. Feeds are also
available to PSI's TCP/IP customers. The result is much wider low-cost
availability of ClariNet news -- if you considered it before but didn't
want a long-distance feed, check with us again.
ClariNet prices range from $9.95 a year for a syndicated column such as
"Dave Barry" to $10/month for Newsbytes daily computer news to $35/month
for all publications. Prices are vastly cheaper per person under site
licences or educational licences.
See ClariNet at USENIX in Nashville, June 11-13, Booth 509
ClariNet feeds are also available through UUNET, Anterior, Portal,
EUNet, MSNEN, NSTAR, ClariNet and cooperating customer sites in
various areas of North America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New
Zealand.
For more information contact:
ClariNet: info@clarinet.com 1-800-USE-NETS 1-519-884-7473
124 King St. N.
Waterloo, ON
N2J 2X8
PSI: info@psi.com 1-800-82PSI82 1-703-620-6651
11800 Sunrise Valley Dr.
Suite 1100
Reston, VA 22091
The following are areas where PSI offers local dial-up UUCP/USENET service,
or areas where such service will be available shortly. PSI also has
several other locations where direct TCP/IP connections are available.
In addition, several of those nodes have planned dial-up service in the
works. These include: Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, Orlando,
Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and the city of San Francisco.
For a full list, mail any message to pop-info@psi.com.
POP Location Availability
------------- --------------
Albany, NY Available Today
Atlanta, GA Available Today
Boston, MA Available Today
Buffalo, NY Available Today
Chicago, IL Available Today
Corning, NY Available 8/91
Garden City, NY Available 7/91
Hartford, CT Available Today
Houston, TX Available Today
Islip, NY Available Today
Ithaca, NY Available 5/91
Los Angeles, CA Available Today
Mountain View, CA Available Today
New York, NY (2) Available Today
Newark, NJ Available Today
Philadelphia, PA Available Today
Portland, OR Available Today
Reston, VA Available Today
Rochester,NY Available Today
Santa Clara, CA Available Today
Seattle, WA Available 5/91
Stamford, CT Available 6/91
Syracuse, NY Available Today
Trenton, NJ Available Today
Utica, NY Available 5/91
Westborough, MA Available 5/91
WhitePlains, NY Available Today
Path: eff!world!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!psuvax1!psuvm!auvm!CORNELLA.BITNET!REBX
> From: REBX@CORNELLA.BITNET
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Subject: Cataloging electronic journals in paper
Message-ID:
Date: 16 May 91 21:05:44 GMT
Lines: 14
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AUVM.EDU
X-Resent-Date: Thu, 16 May 91 11:21:38 EDT
X-Resent-From: REBX@CORNELLA
Approved-By: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I'd like to know if anyone is providing electronic journals
or LISTSERV mailings after printing them off as paper copies.
Also, is anyone keeping them as e-files and cataloging them
as such, for access electronically on local systems?
I'm thinking of works such as Postmodern Culture, our own PACS-L
listings and Review, or EthnoFORUM, the ethnomusicology digest. Each
of these have ISSNs and come out with various schedules. EthnoFORUM is
approx. tri-weekly.
Randal Baier
Southeast Asian Cataloger
Cornell University
From kadie Sun May 19 14:46:45 1991
To: cafb-mail
Subject: Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Status: R
Computers and Academic Freedom mailing list (batch edition)
Sun May 19 14:46:34 EDT 1991
In this issue:
Sanjay Kapur
Subject: Re: Which Rights?
Message-Id: <96C975BF94A08B83@ccmail.sunysb.edu>
X-Organization: State University of New York, Stony Brook
X-Vms-Cc: SKAPUR
>Sender: "Carl M. Kadie"
>
>It is true that newsgroups (aka forums, notesfiles, echoes, etc) are
>not books; rather they are periodicals (or, more precisely, serials).
>As such, we don't need to make an analogy; they are already covered by
>library policy (such as the American Library Association's Freedom To
>Read statement).
>
The inescapable conclusion is that the proper place for newsgroups etc. is the
library and not a departmental or university computing facility. The ALA
policy already covers these issues and a Library is much better suited for
handling materials covering a vast range of topics as Usenet does. The
University or departmental computing facility may operate a usenet facility
under contract to and paid for by the library with overall supervision by a
Librarian.
Sanjay Kapur |Internet: Sanjay.Kapur@sunysb.edu
Systems Staff, Computing Services, |Bitnet: SKAPUR@USB
State University of New York, |SPAN/HEPnet: 44132::SKAPUR
Stony Brook, NY 11794-2400 |Phone:(516)632-8029, FAX:(516)632-8046
-------------------
Date: Sun, 19 May 91 14:21:57 -0400
From: kadie (Carl Kadie)
Message-Id: <9105191821.AA10037@eff.org>
Subject: Which Rights?
Summary: A newsgroup system *is* a library
Sanjay Kapur writes:
> The inescapable conclusion is that the proper place for newsgroups
> etc. is the library and not a departmental or university computing
> facility. The ALA policy already covers these issues and a Library is
> much better suited for handling materials covering a vast range of
> topics as Usenet does. The University or departmental computing
> facility may operate a usenet facility under contract to and paid for
> by the library with overall supervision by a Librarian.
This makes it sound as though the Library is a single building or
single organization with some kind of a monopoly or franchise on
circulating material. In fact, the location and administration of many
libraries is now highly distributed. For an example, as a computer
science student at the U. of I., sitting at a workstation with a
telephone, I can
* Use the Internet and search the "card catalog" at the University
of California at Berkeley (and at hundreds of other places). If I find
a book I want, I can get it via interlibrary loan.
* Use LCS (our library computer system) to search the
collections of the Morton Grove Public Library (or almost any public
library in Illinois). Again I can get books via interlibrary loan.
* Use LCS to search the collection of Illinois State University
(or almost any academic library in the state). If I want a book, I
just give the "charge/mail" command to LCS; the book wil be mailed to
my campus mailbox.
* Use LCS to search the University's Mathematics library (or
any of the dozens of libraries that make up the University of Illinois
Library).
* Use LCS to search the Department of Computer Science Library.
This library is independent of the U of I Library. (Some other
departments have independent libraries, too; but most are not on LCS).
These independent department libraries are certainly not "operate[d]
... under contract to [or] paid for by the [U. of I] library".
As you might imagine, I don't think of the library as a monolithic
building or organization. Rather, I think of the Library as a
disembodied network.
Does the lack of a central library authority mean that the Freedom To
Read Statement is obsolete? I hope not.
A newsgroup system *is* a library. If you make subscription decisions
for other people, you *are* a librarian, even if your degree is in
computer science and not library science. (You probably have other
jobs too, of course). Please respect and defend your user's Freedom
to Read.
- Carl
-------------------
Date: Sun, 19 May 91 14:27:04 GMT-0500
From: farber@central.cis.upenn.edu (David J. Farber)
Posted-Date: Sun, 19 May 91 14:27:04 GMT-0500
Message-Id: <9105191927.AA02362@pcpond.cis.upenn.edu>
BTW which is the best online access library system on the internet
