MU student vs prof in email ’spam’ complaint
p2pnet news view | Freedom:- When is spam not spam. That is the question.
And it’s one Michigan State University student leader Kara Spencer would like answered.
In September, she, “began discussing the shortened fall 2009 schedule with a small group of faculty members and administrators,” says CNet News, going on:
“She followed up by contacting 391 faculty members by e-mail, saying that professors should be aware of the ‘burden for class schedules and syllabi’ the change would involve.”
But this upset plant biology teacher Katherine Gross (right) who, “complained to the university administrators, who summoned Spencer to a mandatory meeting and informed her that she would face disciplinary charges,” says the story, going on:
“A formal letter listing Gross as a ‘possible witness’ to the offense said that the e-mail violated university policies saying that students can use the network only for ‘authorized purposes’.”
CNet has Spencer saying the board, “may take up to seven days to render a ruling, so at this point I am just waiting for their notification’.”
Gross didn’t respond to “multiple requests for comment,” it adds.
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CNet News – Michigan State to student: Political e-mail is spam, December 5, 2008
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December 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Huh? She got in trouble for sending a mass e-mail?? Surely that couldn’t have been considered spam, unless she tried to sell viagra in the letter somewhere…
December 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
If the email was pertinent to each of the 391 people she sent it to , whether they wished the email or not – then its not spam (imo) but if it was a mass email just to spread the issue to all and sundry then the spamster deserves all she gets .
I dislike this sort of story , there are obviously bits missing from it to give it the usual “poor student , the uni is picking on her” slant – she was a student NOT a teacher – the issue was none of her business (in as much as sending emails was concerned) , but as usual on this site , poorly researched and using the credo of never letting facts stand in the way of a good story .
December 10th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Thought you would be interested to see the latest news on this subject:
BREAKING NEWS: Student Government Leader at Michigan State University Found Guilty of âSpammingâ after Criticizing Administrative Decision
http://thefire.org/index.php/article/10020.html
Brandon Stewart
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education