From: marchany@vtserf.cc.vt.edu (Randy Marchany)
Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk,comp.org.eff.talk,comp.admin.policy,alt.censorship,soc.college
Subject: Re: Banned Computer Material 1992
Date: 30 Sep 92 22:17:32 GMT
Followup-To: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk
Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

In article <1992Sep30.065537.23479@eff.org> kadie@eff.org (Carl M. Kadie) writes:
>Banned Computer Material 1992
>Inspired by Banned Book Week '92, this is a list of computer material
>banned or challenged in academia in 1992. Iowa State University has
>the dubious distinction of being listed most often (three times).
>The list proper starts after a list of the academic institutions
>involved. The list proper is followed by instructions on how to get
>more information about specific incidents and then by instructions on
>how to get general information about computers and academic freedom.
>
>Any "unwarranted annoyance" or "unsolicited email" at *Virginia Tech*
>     ... banned by the Information System's Appropriate Use Policy.
>          news/cafv02n20:<1992Apr27.214917.13402@eff.org>
>
Carl, Carl, Carl......
I know you didn't intend to cause lost of problems with this post and
subsequent posts on this subject, but you really make it difficult for
those institutions who are trying to balance the need to protect their
computing user communities with the academic freedom rights of the
university community. Really now, do you think that suggesting that
readers contact their campus newspapers (as suggested by you in a
subsequent post) is really helpful? Frankly, I  can see the newspapers
grabbing the "hot" issue that will grab the reader's attention and not
give the full picture (any guess as to what the issue would be?
:-)). All we have to do is review the Houston newspaper episode about
Usenet and other incidents like it to realize that no good came out of
it. Having seen protests about being included in the list,
I feel that your post didn't present the entire picture. Indeed, it only
serves to sensationalize a serious topic that all of us (EFF,
Universities, businesses) are trying to define. 

For example, I submitted VA Tech's policy for comments and the following
segment shows YOUR critique of our statement. In particular, the specific
item you mention in your 'banned' post and YOUR comments follow:
**********************************************************
EXCERPT from Carl Kadie's review of VA Tech policy, dated (by my
calendar :-)) 4/27/92

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.

>use  mail  or messaging services to harass, intimidate, or otherwise
>annoy another person, for example, by broadcasting unsolicited
>messages or sending unwanted mail.

Based on court cases like _UWM Post v. U. of Wisconsin_ (which
mentioned email), I believe this speech restriction is illegal because
it is too vague and because it illegally restricts First Amendment
rights.

I suggest:

o    use mail or messaging services to harass, for example, by,
     sending mail after being told that it is unwanted."

END OF EXCERPT
******************
What I wrote was preceded by the '>', the rest is what YOU wrote. 
We are incorporating your suggestions in the next version of this
document. But for you to only give the "Headline" without the rest of
the story only serves to sensationalize the institutions listed. I
think the tone of this 'banned' post only serves to confuse the overall
issue and frankly, I think it will set back the efforts of all involved.

You, of all people, should be aware of what supplying incomplete
information on this delicate subject can do to the effort to balance
the needs of all involved. Having listed institutions under the catchy
banner of "Institutions that BAN material" will make it more difficult
for everyone involved (including institutions that weren't listed).
Telling people where they can get additional information is like a
newspaper printing a retraction on the back pages of the paper. The
majority of people will only remember the original statement.

Frankly, I'm disappointed in you.

	-Randy Marchany
	VA Tech Computing Center
	Blacksburg, VA 24060

INTERNET: marchany@vtserf.cc.vt.edu


Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk,comp.org.eff.talk,comp.admin.policy,alt.censorship,soc.college