OIT on file sharing
The university is greatly concerned about the potential effects of illegal file sharing on our information technology networking infrastructure and on the personal liability of our students. This letter summarizes actions the university will take over the next few days to protect our community.
Effective Monday, Oct. 8, the university will block use of two peer-to-peer file sharing programs on its network – Ares and LimeWire. Recognizing the accelerating demands on bandwidth from educational commitments of greater priority, we are unable to justify supporting P2P programs that are instrumental in the sharing of music and movies in violation of copyright law. In the competitive allocation of computing resources, the university may not responsibly support activity that places students in serious legal and financial jeopardy. To do otherwise would also compromise a fundamental social value: respect and acknowledgment of the creative achievements of others.
In addition to blocking Ares and LimeWire, the university will expand enforcement of university network rules against facilitating illegal file sharing. One example is the campus DC++ hub, which has been featured recently in The Diamondback. The operators of DC++ hubs will be offered an opportunity to demonstrate that their network usage conforms to the university’s policy on the acceptable use of information technology resources which can be found at www.nethics.umd.edu/aup/) and the student guidelines for network computer use (www.nethics.umd.edu/policies/network_guidelines.html). Should a specific operator’s network usage not be shown to be in conformity, that operator will be asked to bring the usage into compliance. Failure to do so will subject the operator to administrative action, including revocation of access to Internet resources through the university network system and/or referral to the Office of Judicial Programs.
We regret the inconvenience that these actions will cause for those using the university network services and file-sharing software legally and responsibly. However, we must implement these measures to protect our community from the effects of illegal file sharing.
Jeffrey C. Huskamp
Vice President and Chief Information OfficerOffice of Information Technology
Programs on rape already present
After reading Matthew Abbott’s letter to the editor (“Precaution is a good thing,” Oct. 3), I’m appalled that someone would provide that kind of information to such a large audience without even bothering to support his statements. Instead of dispelling the misconceptions students may have about sexual assault in our community, Abbott perpetuated false information and erroneous facts.
Abbott clearly didn’t bother to research the resources we have at the university regarding sexual assault and victimization. The Office of the Victim Advocate and related programs provide extensive services for primary and secondary victims. Unlike Abbott, a significant portion of the student body has been fortunate enough to witness the interactive presentation provided by Student Advocates For Education About Rape. Perhaps he should have taken the time to find out that we do in fact have rape-awareness programs before writing his letter.
The University Health Center’s website includes a detailed description of every service these programs provide. Instead of taking Abbott up on his offer to “teach you some simple, practical maneuvers that a victim can use to defeat an assailant larger, faster and stronger than herself or himself,” look into credible information about the Office of the Victim Advocate and peer educators.
Sarah McCallisterSeniorPsychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice