[Peace-discuss] University Senate resolution

[Alfred Kagan]

FYI,

The following resolution was passed unanimously yesterday by the 
University Senate.


UIUC University Senate Resolution
on the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security Act and Related Measures


Whereas, There are many provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, the 
Homeland Security Act, the new guidelines of the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, and related measures that undermine constitutionally 
protected rights of Americans by expanding the authority of the 
government beyond already existing laws to investigate the private 
lives of citizens and non-citizens alike; and

Whereas, The University Senate opposes any use of governmental power 
to suppress the free and open exchange of knowledge and information 
or to intimidate individuals exercising free inquiry and speech; and

Whereas, These provisions make it easier for law enforcement agents 
to engage in electronic surveillance and data collection for library 
users who are not suspected of any crime, and whose use of computers 
to browse the Internet, access email, or research online information 
may be under government surveillance without their knowledge or 
consent; therefore, be it

Resolved,  That while the University Senate strongly opposes 
terrorism, we affirm the need to remain vigilant against the erosion 
of our most fundamental civil liberties; and

Resolved,  That the University Senate therefore opposes the use of 
governmental authority to infringe upon constitutionally protected 
privacy by data mining information on people not suspected of any 
crime, and to suppress the free and open exchange of recorded 
information and knowledge; and

Resolved,  That the University Senate urges the United States 
Congress to discuss the ramifications of these laws, to repeal the 
provisions that threaten the rights of all American citizens, to 
actively oversee the implementation of these laws, and to preserve 
current measures that provide judicial review, and require probable 
cause, for the use of warrants, subpoenas, telephone monitoring 
devices and all other methods of collecting confidential information 
about individuals.

Resolved,  That this resolution be forwarded to Senators Durbin and 
Fitzgerald and Representative Johnson, and to others as appropriate.


Sponsors
Senator Al Kagan (LIBR)
Senator James Barrett (LAS)

-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu
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