Student free speech vs. taxpayer rights

While this is only peripherally related to educational technology, the recent uproar over free speech at the University of Maryland is worthy of consideration; it certainly appears that both sides of the debate have reasonable points that could have long-term impacts both IT and the humanities at the university (and elsewhere). The following video from CNN gives an overview of the controversy: Embedded video from CNN Video Essentially, the students want to screen the XXX-rated movie, Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge, while lawmakers, taxpayers, and parents footing the tuition bills have expressed objections. According to the University of Maryland's independent student newspaper, the Diamondback, Despite not endorsing the screening of the triple-X film, Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge, university administrators still attended the Student Power Party's screening of the first 30 minutes of the movie last night in Susquehanna Hall. Administrators allowed the screening to occur despite threats by state senators that they would cut funding for the university. Student groups preceded the screening with a press conference and discussion of free speech: ...the focus of the event was not the film itself, but rather free speech - a response to State Sen. Andy Harris' (R-Baltimore County & Harford) proposed amendment to the state budget that would have cut all state funding to any public college or university that screened triple-X films. So how does this ultimately relate to IT? Colleges and universities are slowly adopting measures to limit peer-to-peer traffic on campus networks, preventing illegal file-sharing among students. However, most have chosen not to actually filter traffic in the way that K-12 schools must. How many college kids who might not go to see a hardcore film screened on campus sit in their dorm rooms watching porn on the Internet? Probably more than 2 or 3. Don't get me wrong. I have a gaggle of kids, the majority of whom will probably go to a state school here in Massachusetts. Despite being one heck of a free speech advocate, I can't say that I'm enthusiastic about my tax dollars or my tuition money helping to fund activities like this on campus. However, if lawmakers choose to limit films that get screened on public university campuses, will they also choose to limit the far more widespread access to "explicit content" on university networks? If they do, then IT has no choice but to get into the fray as IT would be implementing any mandated filtering. Who decides what is objectionable? Obviously not IT, yet those of us who administer content filters know that ultimate decisions, authority, and transparency over what is blocked and why comes down to the system administrator. Just something for the radar screens, wherever you might stand on the issue.

Student free speech vs. taxpayer rights

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