Privacy and Right to Read

AS-2629-03/FGA - November 13-14, 2003

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 U.S.A. Patriot Act that threaten the civil liberties of students and faculty who use libraries and computers; specifically, we recommend passage of H.R.1157: "Freedom to Read Protection Act," and S.436: "Domestic Surveillance Oversight Act." (attached); and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU support the California Library Association's Resolution in Support of User Privacy and Freedom of Information in Libraries (Feb. 12, 2003-attached) and the resolution of the American Library Association entitled, "The USA PATRIOT ACT and Related Measures that Infringe on the Rights of Library Users" (attached); 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 U.S.A. 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.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY - November 13-14, 2003