LAVOZ The Voice of De Anza College A First Amendment student newspaper
District amends computer proposal
INSIDE Is Valentine’s Day a special day, or not worth the time and money? Also, alternatives for celebrating V-Day with that special person. SPECIAL, Pages 4 and 5
February 10, 2003
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Dancers hone their skills for student show
SOME WORRY PROPOSED POLICY RESTRICTS ACADEMIC FREEDOM by Meera Kumbhani La Voz In response to an employee outcry over the first draft of a new computer use policy, a Foothill-De Anza District subcommittee held a public meeting on Jan. 22 to release and discuss a revised version. The policy, a statement of rules and regulations to control inappropriate use of all district-owned computer and communication systems, collectively referred to as the “District Network,” is based upon the principle that the network is “the sole property of the District, which for that reason [the District] has and retains complete and sole authority over the terms and conditions of its use.” The subcommittee, the Educational Technology Advisory Committee, is reviewing the policy. Inappropriate uses of the network, which includes voicemail, e-mail, telephone and the Internet, are defined as those that interfere with “intended use” of the network. For employees, intended uses consist of “those which are reasonable and necessary for the pursuit of job duties,” and for students, “those which are reasonable and necessary for the pursuit of instructional activities.” Specific network activities targeted by the policy include unauthorized access to computer accounts, e-mail forgery, displaying or transmitting obscene material, placing excessive loads on the network, use of the network to harass or threaten others, and unauthorized commercial use. “As we’re sharing the network, inappropriate actions by one or two people could bring the entire place to a halt. That’s what we want to prevent,” said subcommittee member and De Anza librarian Judy Mowrey. After the initial release of the policy in the fall, staff and faculty members expressed concerns over the policy’s deficiencies and set into motion a process of revisions in an attempt to assuage the most widely held concerns. These concerns included an objection to the policy requiring faculty and staff to sign the document before using any part of the network. According to subcommittee chairperson Willie Pritchard these employees argued that no other board policy required signatures and brought up
see TECH, Page 3
Jason Fassnacht / La Voz
Richard “Beatbox” Turner works on his breakdancing moves in preparation for “Spirit Dancers: Manifest Vision,” an all-student performance at the Flint Center March 14 at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. SEE STORY ON PAGE 6.
Incubator Project hatches at DA by Luke Stangel La Voz A new 10-week business series allows students building their first businesses to bounce ideas off of local executives and gain real-world experience. As these developing ideas progress, the Incubator Project will continue to provide the students with general guidance, with the ultimate goal of launching profitable enterprises. The Incubator has been in development for the past year in conjunction with the San Jose State University business department. This quarter marks its first trial at De Anza. Students interested in starting businesses in childcare, healthcare and home maintenance are encouraged to apply. Applications for the spring series can be submitted until March 27.
Plans call for the Incubator to grow, eventually handling 12 entrepreneursin-training at once in a new facility. This building would provide computers, office supplies and machines to the students, as well as large classrooms to handle guest speakers and one-day business seminars. The program has raised $90,000 in college money as well as private funding. Each week, a different Silicon Valley executive leads the class and shares his unique business perspective. At a recent Wednesday night class, Chuck Berghoff, president and CEO of Summit Microelectronics, led a discussion on writing an effective business plan. Before taking over Summit Microelectronics two years ago, Berghoff worked with venture capitalists in Palo Alto to determine which new business plans were
worth investigating. Over the course of two hours, the four incubating entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to ask Berghoff any question having to do with his experiences and to receive expert advice. “This interface is priceless,” said Program Director Tesha McCord Poe. “It gives these students the opportunity to speak with professionals that they wouldn’t normally be able to.” After the 10-week course is complete, each entrepreneur will present his or her business plan to the Incubator advisory board for review. They will continue with a year of mentoring with a professional who will help them polish the idea and get it off the ground. McCord Poe is optimistic about the
see INCUBATOR, Page 3
WHAT’S GOING ON OPINION
BACKPAGE
Schools or prisons? Writer Daniel DeBolt urges students to take action to protest state and federal budgets. Page 2
Club Day La Voz photographers capture the sights of last month’s Club Day in a full-page photo essay. Page 8
CORRECTIONS and CLARIFICATIONS There is no update in the search for fugitive De Anza student Long Duy Tran for this week’s issue. “Longtime Physics teacher dies,” Feb. 3, Page 1 Contribution by Melissa Sweat
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