CNAA The University of San Diego's current effort to establish an Electronic Communications Acceptable Use Policy underscores its attempt to grapple with the realities and challenges created by increasingly widespread usage of this communication medium. USD is not alone in its efforts to understand and cope with the societal impact of the Electronic Super Highway. World-wide, institutions are exhibiting a variety of responses toward electronic communications as individuals have increased access to information through this medium.
Technology is seductive.
The costs and processes involved in the implementation of electronic communication systems can create the illusion that we are dealing with an entity that is new and different from communication mechanisms to which we have become accustomed. In reality, the communication freedoms inherent in our society and absolutely vital to the learning process in our academic institutions remain unchanged whether the information is communicated verbally, in a textbook, or through a favorite web site. Policy Creep Policy development represents an attempt by a system to gain control and establish ground rules over phenomena that are partially understood by the system and often perceived as threatening. Policies are designed based upon perceptions of individuals within systems regarding what is good and right for the system's survival. There is nothing inherently wrong with policy, but we must always be cognizant that policy represents much more to a system than words on paper that ultimately are filed in a notebook on a dusty office shelf.