The actions of a former UW-Madison professor have staff and faculty at UW-Eau Claire thinking about their own on-campus Internet use.
According to AP wire reports, L. Keith Cohen, a Madison professor, was terminated earlier this month for a felony conviction he received last year. The investigation by the university led to the revelation that he had over 2,000 pornographic images on his UW computer.
The Eau Claire Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook contains a section that deals with computer and network usage guidelines. The handbook states that members of the academic community should use on-campus computers “only for purposes related to their studies, their instruction, the discharge of their duties as employees, their official business with the University and their other University sanctioned activities.”
“University computers are to be used by employees only for state use,” said Steve Tallant, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The essence of the matter is personal computers for personal use.”
The policy allows incidental personal use, although it stresses that personal use of an extensive nature should occur only on personal computers.
The policy also has several examples of inappropriate usage, including the downloading, storage and/or display of sexually explicit content on university-owned equipment.
He said that, while viewing pornography on UW system computers is not illegal, it is against policy and would result in job termination.
On April 7, the Board of Regents dismissed Cohen, who pleaded no contest to one felony count of exposing a child to harmful materials. According to the wire report, Cohen admitted to sending naked pictures to a student from his university office.
Assistant professor of philosophy Sean McAleer said that, although he thought there was a policy regarding Internet use, he was unaware of its details.
He said he thinks a policy is a good idea though, especially if inappropriate use is grounds for dismissal.
“It’s a good idea to know what is expected of (faculty),” McAleer said.
Junior Tyler Trimberger said he feels that a written policy may be unnecessary.
“Due to the high status of professors, they should know that personal use of the Internet on school time would be inappropriate,” he said.
Jeanie Geurink, an assistant professor of communication and journalism, said she agrees with the University on having a policy on Internet usage.
She added that she felt faculty members are too busy to have time for much Internet use beyond academic purposes at work.
Sophomore Laura Pierce said she thought having a policy regarding personal use of school computers is a good idea.
“Some personal use of school computers is okay, but it shouldn’t be more than a few minutes a day,” she said.