Spring Break
Open records act a loophole for spam
SELENA ROBINSON For The Red & Black
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
Online Exclusive
Students aren't the only ones frustrated by the constant flow of spam cluttering UGAMail accounts.
University officials are just as annoyed as students are about the "internet harassment" when they receive messages claiming to hold the
mystical secrets behind genitalia growth or stock market success, said Tom Jackson, vice president of public affairs.
However, Georgia's 2001 Open Records Act requires public agencies and offices, like the University, to provide companies and individuals with
files such as letters, photographs and directory information upon request, he said.
The University has three working days to comply with the request unless an outstanding, documented reason prevents the University from complying,
Jackson said.
Typical requests call for the e-mail, home and University addresses of students and University employees.
In past legislative terms, the University attempted to push legislation through Georgia's legislature to prevent companies and individuals from sending spam to University students and employees via their University accounts.
The proposed legislation failed because state officials deemed it unlawful to determine the intent of an open records request prior to the divulgence of the solicited material, he said.
To minimize the amount of spam in inboxes, students and University employees have the option to remove themselves from the University's
directories.
Under the "Student Records Main Menu" and the "Change Address" options on OASIS, students can choose to remove themselves from directory records.
Employees can make a request to the Office of Public Affairs to be removed from the employee directory, Jackson said.
However, few students and employees choose to remove themselves, he said.
"Removal from the directory list may cause unintended side effects," said Ed Mirecki, assistant director of student programs. "Student-run programs use directory information to contact students about upcoming events at the
Students aren't the only ones frustrated by the constant flow of spam cluttering UGAMail accounts.
University officials are just as annoyed as students are about the "internet harassment" when they receive messages claiming to hold the
mystical secrets behind genitalia growth or stock market success, said Tom Jackson, vice president of public affairs.
However, Georgia's 2001 Open Records Act requires public agencies and offices, like the University, to provide companies and individuals with
files such as letters, photographs and directory information upon request, he said.
The University has three working days to comply with the request unless an outstanding, documented reason prevents the University from complying,
Jackson said.
Typical requests call for the e-mail, home and University addresses of students and University employees.
In past legislative terms, the University attempted to push legislation through Georgia's legislature to prevent companies and individuals from sending spam to University students and employees via their University accounts.
The proposed legislation failed because state officials deemed it unlawful to determine the intent of an open records request prior to the divulgence of the solicited material, he said.
To minimize the amount of spam in inboxes, students and University employees have the option to remove themselves from the University's
directories.
Under the "Student Records Main Menu" and the "Change Address" options on OASIS, students can choose to remove themselves from directory records.
Employees can make a request to the Office of Public Affairs to be removed from the employee directory, Jackson said.
However, few students and employees choose to remove themselves, he said.
"Removal from the directory list may cause unintended side effects," said Ed Mirecki, assistant director of student programs. "Student-run programs use directory information to contact students about upcoming events at the
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Jan Downing
posted 4/17/09 @ 1:21 AM EST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
Jan Downing
posted 6/20/09 @ 1:24 PM EST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
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