Moreover, the medium may be used by individuals in ways that harass others. These abuses may include racism and other violations of human rights as well as sexual harassment. The University must work to create a climate in which the users of information technology treat each other with respect, and in which abuses of others are not tolerated. It is, however, technically infeasible and also inappropriate for a university to attempt to restrict access to material that some may consider offensive. The Task Force believes that the best approach to creating an acceptable climate is through education, and through the establishment of procedures and penalties for inappropriate use.
Some procedures are already available through the Sexual Harassment Policy.
Moreover, based on our study, the Task Force feels that some of the changes to that policy now under discussion by the President's Permanent Advisory Committee on Sexual Harassment would result in procedures better suited to handle problems arising from the inappropriate use of information technology. Our study also points out the immediate need for an effective Human Rights Policy at UBC, since many incidents of inappropriate use are not sexual harassment but are still violations of human rights. In addition, it is important that UBC identify a single individual with responsibility for providing advice, and for contacting the appropriate authorities external to UBC when, for example, material that is believed to be illegal is involved. Another important issue is the need to broaden the community of users of information technology at UBC and elsewhere. This will significantly contribute to the creation of a culture more sensitive of the views of others.