Argues that graduation prayer is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause, but the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment entitles a valedictorian giving a commencement speech to discuss religion and even to express religious beliefs as the student's own, private beliefs. Summarizes court decisions. (MLF)

Analyzes the impact of the U.S. Patriot Act on educational institutions, particularly in the area of information technology security. Warns that the Act could impact distance learning and campus Internet service providers, and that lawsuits are being filed against universities for having lax cybersecurity. Makes suggestions for dealing with these…

Discusses how Mercer University's decision that a survey of undergraduates' sexual behavior was not appropriate for the Baptist-affiliated institution quashed a psychology professor's class project and set off a debate over academic freedom. (EV)

Examines the bases for and ramifications of the Supreme Court's decision to allow the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on behalf of plaintiffs alleging discrimination in tenure decisions, to compel universities to disclose previously confidential peer review materials. (86 references) (MLF)

Since the "May" and "Gregoire" decisions, school boards must be aware of the courts' change to a more expansive view of free speech. Unless it is clearly a religious service, rite, or ceremony, what was once considered a religious activity (for example, Bible-reading) may now be considered free speech protected by the First…

Reviews common technical services policies relating to circulation, cataloging, and collection development that routinely prevent full access to public library resources for children and adolescents. It is argued that technical services librarians can work closely with those in youth services to ensure intellectual freedom for children and youth.…

To advocate replacement of traditional tenure arrangements by fixed-term contracts is a misreading of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act amendments, and may threaten academic freedom. (Author/MSE)

Compares U.S., Latin American, and Caribbean editors, examining their evaluations of world press problems to understand their underlying news values and perceptions of the role of the press in society. Finds that U.S. and Latin American editors see press freedom as an important world problem but differ on developmental journalism. (MM)

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving three competing interests--the university, students, and commercial vendors. Examines lower court decisions in the case along with other jurisdictions that have specifically addressed the issues of commercial solicitation on campuses. (MLF)

Reviews the general climate of demands for censorship of library materials, and argues that librarians must follow the Code of Ethics and accept the responsibility for resisting censorship pressures. Suggestions for the promotion of a positive climate for intellectual freedom by librarians in public libraries are offered. (23 references) (CLB)

Discusses Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr.'s dissenting opinion in the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier decision in order to help advisers and editorial staffs who are preparing arguments intended to impress administrators with the value of student publications. (MS)

Refutes the arguments of Peter Hanauer and Michael Pertschuk for a ban on tobacco advertising in "Tobacco Advertising and the First Amendment." Argues that their claims are based on false reasoning and a misunderstanding of Supreme Court rulings relating to commercial advertising. (LS)

A case study illustrates the need to examine criteria used to select noncredit continuing education offerings. In this case, the physics faculty protested that the offering "Fundamentals of Astrology" was inappropriate as a university noncredit course. A survey of 77 continuing education divisions revealed how course offering choices are made. (CH)

Argues that many universities pay lip service to the First Amendment and actually control campus speech by denying funds to pay controversial speakers or by stipulating that students must pay the costs for added security measures. Several school policies on racist speech and past practices are explored. (GLR)

Examines electronic access to U.S. government information on the Internet. Several government databases are described, and information is given on how to access them. The databases discussed include the White House Electronic Publishing Program, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Electronic Bulletin Board, and FEDIX. (Contains seven…