Read the ethical case " “Not on our network, you can’t…” Downloading unauthorized files at colleges and universities" by Lawrence Hinman (http://ethics.sandiego.edu/resources/cases/Detail.asp?ID=95) . Try to answer the questions posted in the case-
a. What recommendations would you make? What principles would underlie your recommendations? To what extent is this an issue of academic integrity and ethics?
b. What rights do students have to privacy when they are on a university network? What responsibilities do universities have when students are using the university’s resources to accomplish something illegal?
Post your answers, one paragraph of answer for each set of questions. Don't forget to post your complete name and section. Due Date: Sept. 29, 9am, Manila time.
13 comments:
Vincent T. Pacana
S - 14 / BS - ICTM
CCS / DLSU
If I was the head of that committe, I will recommend that the college/university should have computers that can track and monitor downloads of every university/college owned computers and networks. In that way, the university/college can check whether the students are downloading unauthorized and pirated files. For the privacy rights of students, only downloads and some websites are monitored. Also, certain types of files (ex. mp3's or avi's) are not allowed to be downloaded.
The students have the right not to be meddled in their doings in the university network. But the university also has the right to monitor the network and download activities, so students should be mature and responsible in their doings while having the privilege to have access to the university network. If the university found something unauthorized and illegal has been downloaded by the students, then it has the right to impose due punishment on the students and accomplices. In order to avoid conflicts with companies, the university is responsible in reminding the students through rules, announcements and handbooks of the penalty of illegal and unauthorized downloads.
Von Nielsen T. Buenaobra
S14
BS-ICTM
Before anything else, confiscating computers is a very unfair way of disciplining students! Computers, laptops and other personal gadgets are very expensive! Don’t they know that? Anyway, just like in DLSU, the universities that are facing this bandwidth issues should give only the enrolled students a username and a password. They should have a program that filters unauthorized materials so that the students wouldn’t be able to download it. On the other hand, the students should know the limits of what to download. Common sense can also be applicable in this situation, since if you download something illegal you will have consequences.
The students have all the rights for privacy when using a university network. The students are individuals too. For every individual, privacy is important too. The universities that are providing the resources that the students are using should be responsible of the conflicts that they might have. It is up to the university to protect their network and up to the students to know what’s right. We all have our own responsibilities, we just have to know them and hopefully practice it.
CHRISTINE MAE A. TAVERA
BS-ICTM
S14
If this case happens in our University, I would suggest that firewalls should be installed in the comuputers so as to block the illegal downloading of the students. And if ever someone attempts to download something, it will recorded to the audit trail. Also, I will talk with the teachers and the other people concerned to strictly look after the students using the computers units. I shall also conduct a symposium so that everyone will know what are the "illegal" in downloading stuffs from the internet. But if after this steps, students will still be caught, proper sanctions will be implemented depending on the degree of his actions. The internet is used as a tool for academic needs. Various kinds of information can be found in just one click of the finger. And this becames an issue of academic integrity and ethics if students abuse this priviledge given to them by the school by illegally downloading music, movies, etc.
Of course, everyone is still entitled to his/her privacy. So, the students have the right to keep to herself the things he/she is doing provided that what he/she doing is right. If it happens that she breaks the rules, then that's the time, her privacy now is cut off. In addition, the university should also keep a close look on students using their resources. If they have proven that they did something wrong, then that's the right time they should move to impose proper actions. They should also provide students the information and guidelines in using computers and make sure that it is strictly implemented. No one should be exempted.
Mary Camille Serrano
BS-ICTM/S14
If i became a head of a committee in a college with this kind of problem, i would assign a computer expert or moderator that would maintain and look after all the files that are being downloaded. The university should only allow a computer user to download files that are for academic purposes and if the file contains mp3s or other illegal downloads the moderator should not allow the user to download it.
If a student wants privacy, he/she should use another internet connection instead. He/she should only use the university's network for academic purpose. The student should be responsible in all of his/her actions in the campus so if he/she gets caught downloading illegal files, then he/she should be ready for the punishments.
Rechelle Marie Vergara
BS-ICTM/S14
Our technology nowadays have reached higher extent. Conquering greater horizons compared to the early days. Accompanying this development are the disadvantages of this so called "technological development". One of these is piracy or downloading of program or softwares illegally over the internet.very popular among these are students who use their universities account to download illegally.
To stop this on going anomaly, all of us should know our responsibility to ourselves and others. We should know how to discipline ourselves regarding whether or not what we're doing is right or wrong. we should also consider the dying industry that is caused by this piracy.
This only proves that there are also unwantede effects on technological development.
Luis Santos
BS-ICTM
The internet has a vast number of resources and a lot of people use it. Almost everybody use it for all sorts of things such as for work, entertainment, and many more. Universities and colleges today give students the privilage to access the internet for free. They offer high-speed access for it to be easier for students to do a lot more. Some issues are now being raised due to the abuse of students in using the school internet for downloading illegal files.
Being a head of a commitee to handle a very serious problem regarding this one would require a person to make hard decisions. Although students have the right to use it, they have no right to abuse it. The internet provided by the school should be used for research and things related to school works. Personal matters should be done at home. Everything has to be considered and it should be for the greater good.
Kat Yu
BS-ICTM
I'd probably be recommending a proposal in which it primarily talks about the universities or colleges having a set of standard rules for the students. so that they would be well-disciplined and would not dare repeat such an illegal act again. I believe that by setting such standards, students would be forced to stop their illegitimate actions on downloading unauthorized files. Universities and colleges offer free internet not to be abused but to be an aid for students who needs reference and improvements on their works. It allows them to hone their skills and enhance their potentials.
Being a head of the committee in solving issues of students regarding the misuse of certain moves in the internet is indeed difficult. Students have certain rights to use the computer alone and must be given respect by anyone, however, that student must be assured that he/she will not go beyond the limitations and policies of the university or college that may cause severe punishment from committing that illegal act. Also, students have the rights on internet usage especially when they use the it as a way of communication as well as for references. The university is responsible for having sufficient rules that would complement each other and that awareness must be present when they dwell about an on-going illegal action of a student.
FRANCIS VINCENT R CO
BS ICTM
My recommendation for this problem is implementing a moderated and monitored internet access within a university. Moderated internet access can be done by limiting the bandwidth allocation for each student accessing the network. In this scenario, students will still have access to the internet at high speed. Monitored internet access, on the other hand, can be implemented by monitoring the use of the students (download size per given period of time, sites visited, etc) randomly. The university can also issue apprehension/ call of attention to suspected violators The main principle in the recommendation is that all users should have equal access to the university resources and should not jeopardize other users (especially those with academic pursuits) by abusing their privilege.
Students shall always have their rights to privacy - (no reading of emails and other resources accessible by the administrator – never!). However, the university shall also have its right to implement their acceptable-use policy, in which, both parties must have agreed. Students who are found to be guilty of using the university’s resources for illegal pursuits should be given proper sanction, on the same ground. Nevertheless, the administration should always encourage the students to use the university resources responsibly, and students should try to respect other users of the network.
Abigail Chua
BS-ICTM/S14
If I were the head of the committee, I would suggest the university to have a proxy server to control and monitor the use of the network's bandwidth and prevent the access of prohibited sites. I think the companies should safeguard their files from unauthorized access, and organize seminars to inform the students regarding the dangers of
A college student is expected to be responsible for their own actions. It is the users’ own free will to download files, it’s their computer anyway. But he/she should be liable for their actions. I would also organize seminars to inform the students of the risks of getting caught getting illegal files. So that if in case someone gets caught, he/she should be ready to face the consequences.
Montemayor, Louie Marcel H.
S14 BS-ICTM
First, the council must inform the students that downloading files ilegally is prohibited within campus grounds. It is stated within the handbook that cheating of any form will not be tolerated thus downloading illegally is no exception most especially if it has nothing to do with academics. Second, D.O. will patrol around campus and check on students using laptops or even computers provided by DLSU. Anyone caught downloading will be given heavy punishment.
Since the resorces given to the students are primarily for school work, any other activity may well be labeled as questionable or inapropriate and is therefore an issue of academic integrity.
Although the students have their right to privacy when using university resources, still, any business not realted to school work should be watched by the D.O.
The university's name and reputation is at stake in this matter, thus students must use the school's network carefully and honestly. It is no longer the university's responsibility, it is also the student's because tarnishing the university's name may effect the credibility of all students as well as faculty members who are in charge of student discipline.
Sean Patrick Si
S-14
BS-ICTM
Students have no right to download stuff other than academic needs inside their university. Especially if the computers that they are using are provided by the university itself. The internet connection provided by the school should be and only be for school work or other things that are related to their studies and research.
It is especially wrong to download illegal copyrighted items via internet connection of the university. Internet availability is a good idea from the universities that provide them but they must also be aware of what their internet connections are being used for.
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