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Student Faces Suspension For Spamming Profs

Posted by kdawson on from the how-free-the-speech dept.

edmicman sends word of a Fox News report about a Michigan State University student who is facing suspension for bulk emailing a number of professors at the university about a proposed change to the school calendar — an e-mail that the university is labeling spam. The article contains links to a copy of the original email, the allegations against the student, and the university's Email Acceptable Use Policy. The student, Kara Spencer, asked a Philadelphia rights organization, FIRE, to get involved. The article quotes the FIRE defense program director: "The fact that MSU is considering punishment of Spencer simply for exercising her right to contact selected faculty members by e-mail shows a disturbing disregard for students' freedom of expression. ... Threatening a member of the student government with suspension for sending relevant, timely e-mails to faculty members is outrageous." Spencer is awaiting the school's judgement after a hearing, and vows to take to the courts if suspended.

2 of 516 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I read her entire email by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    How could the sysadmin not have seen this:
    http://lct.msu.edu/guidelines-policies/bulkemail.html

    "
    # Permitted uses for broad cross-University mailing. Bulk e-mailing may be used only by University offices to send communications necessary to the normal course of business and which typically require some official action be taken individually by recipients. Such permitted uses include:

            * Dissemination of urgent information of health and safety concern for students and University employees.
            * Communication of information regarding changes of University policies or procedures, or actions that affect employment or compensation status, or status as a student.
            * Regular communications (for example, to University employees) that are required by law, regulation or University policy for which bulk e-mail may largely replace paper transmittal.

    "

    So, according to their own policy, mass emailing of "...information regarding changes of University policies or procedures, or actions that affect employment or compensation status, or status as a student..." falls within acceptable use. That is assuming that this change to the university schedule is a "change in policy" or "affects employment". I don't see how that wouldn't be the case.

  2. Re:Mass mailing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    The details of the case, with analysis, are here: http://www.thefire.org/index.php/case/773.html.

    MSU's anti-spam policy is clearly unconstitutional (see blog post at http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/10012.html).

    Adam Kissel
    Director, Individual Rights Defense Program
    Foundation for Individual Rights in Education