THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007
NEWS 3A
》 STUDENT SENATE
Task force to review zero-tolerance file sharing policy
BY ERIN SOMMER
esommer@kansan.com
Student Senate voted last night to create a task force to work with the KU administration to review the University's current zero-tolerance policy towards illegal downloading on campus.
Full Senate created the task force after failing a resolution, proposed by the Student Rights Committee, which would have asked for a return to the University's previous policy and a repeal of the zero-tolerance policy. The previous policy didn't revoke Internet privileges in student housing until a student had been caught file sharing three times.
Four members of the Student Rights Committee — Mason Heilman, Emily Williams, Tom Cox and Ian Staples — presented the legislation.
Staples said one of his concerns was that several students were not forwarded letters that the Recording Industry Association of America had sent to the University notifying them that the RIAA had filed charges against those students for illegally sharing files. As a result,
the students did not have enough time to settle the charges out of court and lawsuits had been filed against them.
“If I had gotten the letter, I would get a lawyer in 5 minutes. If I don't get the letter, I have no options.” Staples said. “In an attempt to protect student rights, we have allowed 14 students to get sued.”
The University implemented a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal file sharing this summer, which takes away Internet privileges from students if they are caught sharing files illegally. According to the ResNet Web site, students will then receive notice from the University that their Internet privileges are being revoked and that they would have five days to appeal.
Hannah Love, Dodge City senior and student body president, asked Senate to fail the resolution and stated that she would have vetoed the resolution if it had passed. Love said that she and other Senate leaders have already worked with the University Administration to resolve problems with the zero-tolerance policy.
Love has previously said that
the zero-tolerance policy was too stringent, but that the former policy wasn't strict enough.
"There has been progress made. There has been compromise made," Love said. "I cannot support a resolution that encourages illegal download."
The task force will consist for Love, Student Body Vice President Ray Wittlinger, Student Senate Executive Chair Adam McGonigle, two members of full Senate and two members of the Student Rights Committee.
Although Student Senate cannot force the KU administration to change policies, it can charge members to work with the administration to influence policies and advise changes. Roney has previously stated that she is willing to work with Student Senate on this issue.
Marlesa Roney, vice provost of Student Success, told Senate that so far this year, 85 students have been disciplined for illegal file sharing in the residence hall. Of those 85, Roney said, 65 had successfully appealed.
lan Staples, Student Rights committee member, argues for a resolution against the zero-tolerance illegal file sharing policy at the Student Senate full assembly meeting Wednesday night at the Kansas Union. Fourteen KU students have recently become involved in lawsuits due to music uploads.
Katherine Loeck/KANSAN
Edited by Rachel Bock
student senate notes
Student Senate debated several issues last night, including the power of Senate to remove senators for election violations, the use of Senate money to fund travel and the dismissal of three senators who were absent from meetings and office hours. Below is a recap of the debates.
REMOVAL OF SENATORS FOR ELECTION VIOLATIONS
Student Senate passed a bill that would allow the Student Executive Committee to discipline student senators found to have participated in egregious election violations.
The previous policy only allowed students found to participate in election violations to be punished by the Elections Commission, which did not have the authority to immediately remove those students from Senate.
In that case, a senator could have committed an election violation during elections in April but continued to work in Senate until the Senate year ended in May. Senators would also lose rights to any monetary compensation they received for their work and be prohibited from participation in Senate for 12 months.
The bill was authored by the Student Rights Standing Committee.
THE USE OF SENATE MONEY TO FUND TRAVEL
Student groups with a travel exemption can now receive funding for any registration fees that are acquired because of their travels.
Adam McGonigle, Wichita sophomore and student executive chair, said he authored the legislation to resolve a discrepancy in a decision made over the summer.
This summer, the Student Executive Committee passed legislation that allows only groups that exist for the sole purpose of traveling, such as the Model United Nations, which exists to travel to conferences where it participates in a debate
that resembles the United Nations, to be the only groups allowed to receive funding for travel. Other groups cannot travel on Student Senate money.
However, the Senate Executive Committee failed to include in the change that groups with a travel exemption could also receive registration fees for conferences they travel to. McGonigle said the bill was simply meant to resolve this issue.
SENATE DISMISSALS
Before full Senate met, the Student Executive Committee met and discussed the suspensions of 15 senators who were suspended for not attending meetings and missing office hours. One dismissal, Nick Squier, a business senator, leaves the business school with no senate representation because Julie Strick, the other business senator, recently resigned. The decisions regarding the suspensions are below:
Allie Owens (Off-Campus)
- dismissed
Anne Slaughter (Fr/Sr CLAS)
- dismissed
Nick Squier (Business) - dismissed
Jen O'Neill (Non-traditional)
- resigned
Kimberly Redlin (Fr/Soph CLAS)
- resigned
Julie Strick (Business) – resigned
Jessica Ward (Graduate) – resigned
Jose Artiago (ASHC) – reinstated
Quinton Cheney (Jr/Sr CLAS)
- reinstated
Gina Gay (Jr/Sr CLAS) – reinstated
Jarod Morgenstern (Journalism)
- reinstated
Sam Schlageck (FA) – reinstated
Grant Treaster (Fr/Sr CLAS)
- reinstated
Tom French (Fr/Soph CLAS)
- tabled
Scott Paradise (Off-Campus)
- tabled
— Erin Sommer
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
The Intern
Showcase your creative, analytical, team building and leadership skills through a series of competitive events.
The top competitors will receive an offer of a paid internship for the summer 2008 at either Philip Morris USA or Northwestern Mutual Financial.
You can pick up and submit a registration form in 118E Summerfield. All forms must be submitted by Monday, October 22. The form will have more detailed information if you are interested.
"Women in Politics: Career Stories"
The competition takes place the even-ings of October 30 and November 7, and during the day November 9.
Dole Fellow, and host, Jennifer Schmidt Presents:
Jo Ann Davidson, Co-chair of the Republican National Committee and 20 year member of the Ohio house of representatives.
4:00pm, Wed. Oct 17th at the Dole Institute of Politics
The Brazilian Week - Fall'07 "Welcome to the Jungle"
Oct 23rd (Tue) - Samba&Axé Workshop
Oct24th (Wed) - Brazillian Symposium
Celebrate! Help Committee Workshop
The Ballroom at the Kansas Union, 7.30-9.30pm - FREE
Free lessons of Brazilian dances - get ready to party with Brazilian dance instructors
308 Burge Union, 7-9:30pm - FREE Symposium about Brazil and the Amazon, featuring Dr. Paul Sneed (Spanish & Port.) Dr. Melissa Birch (Business), Pedro dos Santos (Political Sciences), and Rafael Demarco (Molecular Biosciences).
Oct 25th (Thu) - The BIC Brazilian Table / © Mesão Brasileiro
KI The University of Texas
Brazilian Student Association
ECM (basement), 6-7.30pm - FREE
Come join us for some talking, eating (Brazilian cheese rolls and Guaraná included!)
and lots of fun!
Oct 26th (Fri) - "Welcome to the Jungle" BRASAfe Fall Party
The Granada, 9pm - $7.00 (tickets @ SUA Office & The Granada)
Come shake your body with the Brazilian rythms of Dandara and band.
Career Development Conference
Participate in a Free Opportunity for Students Attend specialized workshops and seminars led by local business professionals.
Friday, October 19 in the 4th floor of the Kansas Union 1:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M.
You can find a registration form in 118E Summerfield with more detailed information or you can register at the event
Welcome to the Brazilian JUNGLE
The University of Ames**
Brazilian Student Association
October 18,2007
BRASA's Fall Party '07 October 26th @ the Granada - 9pm
funded by:
SENATE
PAID FOR BY KU
Tickets available ($7*) at:
Lawrence - SUA Office (KS Union) and The Granada
Olathe - The Brazilian Store
Come support the students meet new people, and enjoy Veggie Lunch!
Join the ECM for a Bake Sale supporting Alternative Winter Breaks to El Salvador and the Juarez Border during Veggie Lunch every Thursday in October at the ECM.
Salon Nouveau
Fatal Attraction!
Gender on the Silver Screen
Join the Commission on the Status of Women for a discussion of gender in film.
Oct 23,7:00pm in Alcove G in the Kansas Union"