Panel Sessions

Crafting Broadband and Spectrum Policy to Serve the "Public Good"

Thursday, May 20, 2004
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. SESS11

Jim Baller, Principal, The Baller Herbst Law Group, P.C.

Harold Feld, Associate Director, Media Access Project

Richard B. Geltman, General Counsel, American Public Power Association

Edmond Thomas, Policy Advisor & Partner, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis, LLP

Ubiquitous access to high-speed networks is increasingly viewed by federal policymakers and local governments as an essential element in ensuring that all citizens have the same opportunities to succeed. How Americans receive these services and who provides them is the subject of intense debate in Congress, the FCC, and the courts. Higher education institutions have played a valuable role as innovators using high-speed networks, in some cases partnering with local municipalities to provide access to high-speed networking services. Panelists will discuss the policy and current court challenges surrounding local municipalities building their own networks, and how the FCC's pending ruling on spectrum management reform will impact wireless technology as a viable alternative.

Postconference Resource

Information Assurance and Higher Education

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. SESS06

Tiffany Olson Jones, North and Latin American Government Affairs, Symantec Corporation

Carl Landwehr, Coordinator of Cyber Trust Program & Program Director, National Science Foundation

Clifton H. Poole, Professor of Systems Management, Information Resources Management College, National Defense University

Gordon D. Wishon, CIO, Associate VP & Associate Provost, University of Notre Dame

A variety of academic efforts are underway to secure cyberspace. The National Science Foundation has instituted a Cyber Trust program that supports research and education activities that will lead to trustworthy computing systems. A workshop organized by the Computer Research Association identified "Grand Research Challenges in Information Security and Assurance." Fifty colleges and universities have been designated as Centers of Academic Excellence and Information Assurance to help faculty develop expertise in information security and to educate a future workforce of information assurance professionals. The EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force has organized and galvanized higher education to improve the security of its computer networks. This panel will explore current and emerging issues for higher education, as well as the public policy implications of academia's involvement in addressing a critical, national priority.

Postconference Resource

Point/Counterpoint: Security vs. Privacy--Are We Striking an Appropriate Balance?

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. SESS04

Richard A. Johnson, Partner, Arnold and Porter, LLP

Lawrence White, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania State Department of Education

Postconference Resource

Sharing Information and Controlling Content: Continuing Challenges for Higher Education

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. SESS09

Edward Felten, Professor, Princeton University

Susanna Fischer, Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America

Ric Hirsch, Senior Vice President, Intellectual Property Enforcement, Entertainment Software Association

Robert Kruger, Vice President, Enforcement, Business Software Alliance

Jason Schultz, Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation

Over the past year, higher education institutions have been working with the content industry (MPAA, RIAA, and so forth) to help reduce unauthorized sharing of copyrighted works through copyright education and legitimate music service pilot projects on campuses. In addition, the development of legitimate file sharing services such as Penn State's LionShare seek to eliminate the stigma associated with file sharing. Are these initiatives enough, or are we expected to do more to promote respect for copyright law, while ensuring free expression? Is the regulatory burden being imposed on universities pursuant to the DMCA justified? This panel will discuss whether higher education is meeting its "social responsibility" via these efforts and identify whether we will be forced to address new pressing copyright issues.

Postconference Resource