The Federal Communications Commission recently extended an 11-year law that requires universities to upgrade their Internet networks for easier for federal security surveillance, an upgrade that could cost up to $7 billion.
The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act extends to "all broadband Internet access providers," which includes universities and libraries, and requires providers to overhaul their Internet computer networks to make it easier for law enforcement to survey e-mails and other online communications, according to the first report and order before the FCC in September.
In order to comply with the law's extension, AU would have to purchase an estimated 200 new technology devices by the spring of 2007, according to Carl Whitman, director of information technology. These new devices would cost the university approximately $3 million, which breaks down to around $300 per student. These costs wouldn't include the maintenance and additional costs the devices will incur upon the university, Whitman said.
Universities are protesting these costly security measures. EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit organization representing higher education's intellectual use of technology, is asking for an exemption for universities from the law because the organization believes it is not in the public's best interest to require every university to redesign their networks just in case a lawful request for surveillance may arise in the future, according to its Web site.
"Our view as a university matches that of national higher educators in that we believe that these measures are unnecessary and are overkill," Whitman said. "To suggest this extension at such great cost to universities where students are not the likely targets is out of proportion to the real need."
Miriam Wood, a freshman in the School of International Service, said she does not see how the security measures would help since there are countless Web sites and e-mails exchanged every day.
"I feel it completely goes against privacy," she said. "The government can't control everything you do."
The high cost to students is another negative aspect of the law, Wood said.
Megan Pusecker, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said it is important to protect the security interests of the public, but the government should fund the upgrade.
"I think it should be the responsibility of the government to pay for these costs," she said. "We are a private university, and we shouldn't have to bear the burden of this cost."
EDUCAUSE will continue protesting the law's impact on universities before the extension is due to come into effect in the spring of 2007, according to its Web site.
