Electronic mail is a rich communications medium, but it also presents problems of privacy and efficient use of time. If electronic mail is to be the communication medium of choice in the workplace, it is incumbent on responsible managers and human resources professionals to establish guidelines for its appropriate and productive use. Examples from…

Discusses proceedings of the 1996 ASIS (American Society for Information Science) annual meeting in Baltimore (Maryland), including chaos theory; electronic universities; distance education; intellectual property, including information privacy on the Internet; the need for leadership in libraries and information centers; information warfare and…

Information--who your prospects are, what they're interested in, who can best reach them, and what they're capable of giving--is the key to big gifts to institutions of higher education. Prospect research means digging into the personal and financial backgrounds of your donors. Professionals offer advice for drawing up ethical research and privacy…

Assessed 30 adolescent clients' perceptions of the limits of confidentiality, as well as their privacy demands during counseling. Participants' viewed vignettes of confidentiality issues and recorded their preferences and expectations of counselor actions. Results suggest that adolescents generally want higher levels of confidentiality than they…

A characterization of the following major legal and political issues surrounding the Internet provides a framework for the future development of the Internet and cyberspace: free speech (libel); intellectual property rights (copyright); jurisdictional questions; and privacy. (AEF)

Describes two courses offered in the Graduate Program in Communications Management at Simmons College (Massachusetts)--"Emerging Communications Technologies" and "An Historical Perspective on Privacy, Technology and Ethics." Topics addressed include appropriate applications of technology, whether or not technology enhances…

Examines state and federal court decisions from 1985 to 1993 involving students' claims that their constitutional rights were violated by school officials who conducted searches without reasonable suspicion. Discusses what constitutes reasonable suspicion, information provided by student informants, and outcomes of the cases. (MLF)

The ability to collect, store, retrieve, and combine information in computerized databases has magnified the potential for misuse of information. Laws have begun to deal with these new threats by expanding rights of privacy, copyright, misrepresentation, products liability, and defamation. Laws regarding computerized databases are certain to…

The Supreme Court's decision in "Reno," striking down major portions of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, pits the need to protect children from inappropriate material against the need to maintain free Internet access by adults. Highlights major points in the holding and discusses the meaning of "Reno" for educators. (MLF)

Today's school tests and surveys collect a wide variety of personality and opinion data on student proclivities, social attitudes, and parent-inculcated world views. Personality testing poses a threat to family privacy and students' future employability. Nearly anyone can access personal and sensitive student information and use it to target…

Compares the impeachment proceedings in the trials of Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton. Categorizes an impeachable offense as one that threatens the safety of the country, either as treason or bribery. Asserts that President Clinton did not violate the Constitution and therefore should not have been impeached. (CMK)

Addresses the increasing deprivatization of family life by presenting a constructivist approach to family studies that views the family as a social object constituted through interpretive practice. Documents how family images and meanings are rationalized, public accomplishments, and views the family as part of local culture and the result of…

In "Acton," the Supreme Court upheld a local school board policy calling for the random, suspicionless drug testing of interscholastic student-athletes. Reviews the Court's holdings. Concludes that a drug-testing policy that is consistent with "Acton" and enjoys broad-based community support probably would be worth its expense.…

This study examined the experiences of secondary rural school students, teachers, and administrators to determine their perspectives on distance education. Discusses results of interviews, naturalistic observations, and document analysis that showed the importance of teacher characteristics; problems with a lack of socialization; and problems with…

The practice of identifying violence-prone students via checklists of personal characteristics and behaviors is accompanied by unanswered questions, recognized weaknesses, and serious implementation implications (for special services, suspensions and expulsions, and student rights). Stereotyping, discrimination, and wrongful identification of…