University Policy on homepages---Unacceptable!

Jim Thomas (jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu)
Tue, 10 Oct 1995 02:42:14 -0500 (CDT)

The NIU Homepage requirements have finally been released. It is
bad enough that the reprehensible silence of the invisible committee
sought no input from many of those actively engaged in homepage
publishing. It is bad enough that the chair of the committee, who I
undertand to be Mike Malone, neither responded to queries on this
list nor responded to private e-mail asking about the content of
the policy.

What is bad is that the NIU homepage requirements are totally and
absolutely unacceptable, and infringe upon academic freedom and
potentially violate First Amendment protections. I'm hoping
that the wording of the requirments simply reflect the same sloppy
and irresponsible thinking that went into the process of devising them.

I also note with great sadness that Kate Romano has not yet included
a piece on TOMPAINE. Why? This is an exciting, dynamic group. Yet,
she seems to be stonewalling. Last month, I was sufficiently naive to
accept on good faith that she would be writing something, and that she
was not engaged on a web of silence. I am astonished at her apparent
disingenuousness and her continued refusal to acknowledge in print
the existence of this unique and innovative group.

Kate Romano and Mike Malone owe an explanation for their
disregard of the issues that have been raised here.

More comments to follow.

jt