Describes the development and pilot program implementation of an online campus information service at the University of California at Berkeley called Infocal. Highlights include the establishment of an advisory committee; target audience; control; quality; confidentiality; legal issues; commercial information; policies; computer power; and…

This editorial introduces articles in this issue on the legal issues involved in educating students with disabilities and students at risk for school failure. It is intended to acquaint readers with the current requirements of special education law and recent developments in statutory and case law. (DB)

Every year, a few administrators mishandle school searches and create spectacles similar to the New Castle, Pennsylvania, incident involving six illegally strip-searched students. Principals using "cops-and-robber" techniques to unearth contraband may not realize the potential for infringing on students' constitutional privacy rights.…

Discusses the constitutionality of community service activity as a graduation requirement. Analyzes issues in the "Steirer versus Bethlehem" case, in particular school district control of the curriculum, the first amendment and free speech, and the 13th amendment and involuntary servitude. (SR)

Discusses results of a survey sent to former legislators (representing 18 states) concerning their opinion as to why bills intended to reverse the effects of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier have met with resistance. Identifies characteristics of legislators that sponsored anti-Hazelwood legislation. Concludes that more planning was needed…

Discusses the issue of censorship, using a case from the University of Southwestern Louisiana yearbook involving a disagreement between the editor and the administration over a photo, which led to the editor's firing. Notes that the university settled the suit out of court. Provides rules for helping the administration and editorial staff work…

Compares four colleges and their administrative representatives, and how each views student newspapers. Identifies six themes: role of the newspaper, authority and responsibility, administration-newspaper relationship, administrator problems with newspapers, legal and ethical dimensions, and adviser guidance. Concludes by arguing that the entire…

Court decisions concerning Indiana University and the University of Rhode Island conflict on whether college fraternities are to be held responsible for individual assaults on their premises. The responding parties see both cases as showing that students who really want to get drunk can elude the best efforts to regulate them. (MSE)

Reviews court rulings which demonstrate that the potential for liability is significant when students are injured on journalism assignments. Offers guidelines on risk management for journalism professors. (SR)

Discusses case law regarding schools and strip searches of students, and offers five generalizations regarding the matter. (SR)

Discusses three important trends that will challenge U.S. families: (1) family is changing in structure and composition and is being redefined in legal terms; (2) economic status of families is on steady decline; and (3) major demographic shifts are producing society that is multiracial and older. Implications of trends are considered, along with…

Presents an essay examining homeless shelter residents' freedom from unreasonable searches. Reviews the historical background of the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable search and seizure. Explores factors considered when determining what is "reasonable." Analyzes the concepts of standing, what constitutes a home, and consent.…

Presents a lesson plan calling upon students to consider U.S. law from a cross-cultural perspective. Explains that students participate in a mock hearing involving a culturally based defense to a charge of murder. Includes student handouts, arguments for and against the defense, objectives, and procedures. (SG)

The following administrative aspects of scientific experimentation with human subjects are discussed: the definition of human experimentation; the distinction between experimentation and treatment; investigator responsibility; documentation; the elements and principles of informed consent; and the administrator's role in establishing and…

Reports on the American Library Association's 1992 Midwinter Meeting. Topics discussed include the Kreimer v. Morristown case and its possible ramifications for other libraries dealing with homeless and other problem patrons; the White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS); National Research and Education Network (NREN);…