These are the network policy resolutions developed by the Computer
Policy Committee at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The
resolutions were approved by the Committee and forwarded to the
Chancellor. They were given final approval by the Chancellor as campus
administrative policy (memo dated 02/23/93).

Provided by Alan Baron, ab@csd4.csd.uwm.edu.


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Resolutions Approved by the Computer Policy Committee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
February 21, 1992


               Recommendation from the Computer Policy Committee    
                     on Access to Network News Systems



Background

      Users of the UWM central computer facility (faculty, staff, students)
have access to the network news system, a set of newsgroups concerned with a
wide variety of topics. Members of these groups engage in exchanges of
information on matters of common interest, such as computing, scientific
issues, social and cultural topics, the environment, politics, hobbies,
recreational pursuits, and so forth. This system is the product of a loosely
organized and largely unregulated network which now includes sites throughout
the world. If a site is linked to the network, users can transmit and receive 
messages to and from other sites. There is no central repository for these
articles--they are passed automatically from site to site so that a news
article generated at a particular locale will eventually replicate itself to
network-connected news systems at distant locations. 

      Although the news network has become a valuable resource for university
communities all over the world, objections are raised from time to time
about the content of the messages and articles. These objections range
from complaints that some of the material is frivolous and unrelated to
serious academic pursuits to complaints that certain sexually-oriented
material is obscene or pornographic. Moreover, there have been instances in
which administrators at other Universities have responded to such complaints
by terminating or restricting access to the news network. Unfortunately, such
actions usually have been taken unilaterally, that is, without consultation
with appropriate faculty and student groups.

      Censorship of the news network is not presently an issue here at UWM nor
do we wish to imply that the administration would act in an arbitrary manner
should the issue arise. Nevertheless, the Computer Policy Committee believes
that it would be useful to have a policy in place which would govern access to
and participation in the news network. The four resolutions below are
intended to express such a policy.

RESOLUTION #1

      Resolved: That full recognition and support be given to the valuable
resource provided by the network news system. 

      Rationale: Electronic transmission of information is playing an
increasingly vital role in higher education. This new technology provides a
unique vehicle for the participation of the university community in the 
world-wide exchange of ideas.

RESOLUTION #2

      Resolved: That any action by the UWM administration that might restrict
access to the news network should be contemplated only after consultation
with the Computer Policy Committee and other appropriate faculty bodies. 

      Rationale: Such consultation is required by the principle of faculty
governance at UWM.

RESOLUTION #3

      Resolved: That the same standards and principles of intellectual and
academic freedom developed for university libraries be applied to material
received from the news network.

      Rationale: Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge
and the pursuit of truth, and it has come to be widely accepted that
censorship of library material on partisan or doctrinal grounds is contrary to
these goals. The many similarities of the print and electronic media require
similar standards concerning access to messages and articles received from 
from the news network.

RESOLUTION #4

      Resolved: That the same standards of intellectual and academic freedom
developed for faculty and student publication in traditional media be applied
to publication in computer media.

      Rationale. Messages and articles posted to a newsgroup have many of
the features of a publication. They constitute a means of formulating and
conveying knowledge, including statements of belief and opinion, to the
the university community and to the world at large. Communications to the
the network that originate on this campus should be free of any form of
censorship or prior restraint.

-- 
Carl Kadie -- I do not represent EFF; this is just me.
 =kadie@eff.org, kadie@cs.uiuc.edu =