Describes the development of a graduate interdisciplinary course aimed at helping students learn enough about legal problems in higher education to become alert to potential legal problems and to refer them to counsel. (Author)

Provides an example of procedures to be followed when investigating a sexual harassment complaint in libraries. Highlights include preparation, including reviewing personnel files; interviewing the complainant, including sample questions; interviewing the alleged harasser; gathering information from other sources, including third-party witnesses;…

The European Patent Convention has informed Harvard University that its application for a patent on a genetically engineered mouse may be refused. The application was the first to obtain patent protection across most of Europe for a transgenic animal, one which has been implanted with genes from another animal. (MSE)

A Nevada Supreme Court decision lifted an injunction protecting the University of Nevada at Las Vegas from National Collegiate Athletic Association sanctions but let a lower court decide whether to uphold a 1977 injunction barring suspension of the university's basketball coach. The future course of events is unclear. (MSE)

Recent challenges to the tax-exempt status of private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania result from the convergence of two trends: an aging population that changes the economic balance, and a shift in case law that heretofore favored charities. If the challenges continue, higher education will feel significant negative consequences. (MSE)

A suit first filed by 6 publishers, then extended to a class-action suit involving 83 publishers, resulted in a ruling that photocopying whole articles from a scholarly journal without permission violated "fair use" because the copy was used to enhance archival files rather than enhance research directly. (MSE)

In the rush to profit from patented discoveries, university officials and professors are becoming more protective of research results. Although scholars are outraged at refusals to share discoveries, some critics in industry and academe say the outcry results from greed. A standard contract is being designed to facilitate information exchange.…

Considers the availability of pornography, particularly child pornography, on the Internet and child access to it. Defines pornographic material and child pornography, discusses its commercial and noncommercial uses and the responsibility for child access, and presents solutions: content tagging; CyberAngels, a volunteer group created by the…

Examines critical legal considerations that are concomitant with the adoption of merit pay plans in education and explores some of the practical concerns that continue to thwart the success of merit pay plans. Addressing these legal considerations is a significant step toward the continuing success of merit pay in educational settings. (SLD)

Describes several legal issues involving school board member use of electronic mail, especially violation of state open-meeting laws. Offers several tips to avoid legal pitfalls. Briefly describes Freedom on Information Act issues related to electronic communication. Provides sample policies on e-mail use. (PKP)

Reviews 2000's tort law decisions concerning higher education, dividing the cases into five sections: instruction, advising and supervision of students, dangerous students and third parties, dangerous premises, employment, and medical center cases. (EV)

There is a drug crisis in the United States that is growing at an alarming rate. Its participants work in our businesses, government agencies, and schools. California leads the nation in drug use and until recently, Fresno County was the leader in methamphetamine production. This drug crisis is having a paralyzing effect causing loss of income,…

Administrators in public schools are undoubtedly familiar with their duties under federal law to serve students with disabilities in the educational program. Far fewer, however, are aware of their legal obligations to these same students in after-school athletics and extracurricular activities. Are students with disabilities entitled to…

The purpose of traditional copyright law was to encourage the creation of works based on and to ensure reasonable access to original thought. Despite this harmonious intent, an intrinsic tension exists between libraries and copyright holders, as the former promotes "free" access to information that ultimately reduces the income of the…

This article identifies the types of legal issues that result from technological change and discusses the different institutions involved in resolving those problems. It demonstrates that, despite the focus on political solutions, other institutions also have a role to play in solving legal dilemmas presented by technological change. Legislation…