Academic Senate of the California State University, "Privacy and Right to Read" resolution
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) urge the Congress of the United States to move expeditiously to correct defects in the USA Patriot Act which threaten the civil liberties of students and faculty who use libraries and computers. Specifically, we recommend passage of HR.1157, "Freedom to Read Protection Act," and S.436, "Domestic Surveillance Oversight Act;" and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU support the resolution of the California Library Association in Support of User Privacy and Freedom of Information (February 12, 2003) and the resolution of the American Library Association entitled "On the U.S. Patriot Act and Related Measures that Infringe on the Rights of Library Users" (January 29, 2003) and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU forward this resolution to the CSU campus academic senates, the California congressional delegation, and California's two U.S. Senators.
RATIONALE: The USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act have been interpreted by the Attorney General in a manner that many believe allows investigators to violate First and Fourth Amendment rights of library users. Since our democratic republic is premised on an educated public, the right to read should be sacrosanct.
The CSU is the largest university system in the U.S. with more than 415,000 students and more than 44,000 faculty and staff at its 23 campuses.
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