Safety, Security, and Privacy: The Politics of Surveillance

Institutions of higher education are conflicted about how to sustain essential notions of privacy while addressing issues of safety and security. Government surveillance of citizens, especially on campuses using voice and data networks, is particularly sensitive. The Patriot Act, CALEA, and other legislative and regulatory efforts that expand access to personal information highlight the tension between the legitimate government needs for data and the values and traditions of academic culture.