WHEREAS the Revised (Oct. 12, 2000) World Wide Web Policy addresses major concerns regarding the use of websites through the University;

WHEREAS issues such as intellectual property, fair use, use with express permission are not addressed,

WHEREAS issues such as " illegal information" and "current" are not clearly defined;

WHEREAS issues such as content that is "derogatory", "sexually suggestive" or "stigmatizes or victimizes individuals" are not, and more importantly cannot be, operationalized, and thus cannot be objectively evaluated;

WHEREAS issues such as SLU's Sexual Harassment and Racial Harassment Policies are addressed, but there is no mention of website content regarding issues of religion, sexual orientation, age, culture, etc.; and

WHEREAS the Policy, overall, connotes negativity and punishment;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT that the Faculty Senate recommends the following revisions to the Website Policy:

• Page 9-Level 1 Non-Compliance
  • Delete "slanderous", as slander pertains only to the spoken word;
  • Delete "derogatory" and define "illegal information";
  • Move "plagiarism" to the part on copyrighted content;
  • Include "fair use" and "use with express permission" to the part on copyright;
  • Address the issue of intellectual property;
  • Combine the issues of harassment or intimidation, noting the existing Policies for Sexual and Racial Harassment, and include religion, sexual orientation, age, culture, etc.;
  • Change "sexually suggestive" to legal terms for offensive sexual written materials and/or pictures, such as "obscenity, pornography, or erotica", or delete completely.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT given the lack of support to faculty and staff for web design and upkeep, lack of acknowledgment for professional/creative and/or service activities pertaining to websites, lack of resources, and lengthy periods waiting for technological assistance, the Faculty Senate recommends the following revisions to the Website Policy:

• Page 11-Level 2 Non-Compliance
  • Define "current";
  • Reconsider the five (5) working day time limit to address violations;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that the Faculty Senate recommends reconsideration of the overall tone of the document. Namely, such a policy can be used to encourage creativity collegiality, instead of being punitive and pejorative;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that the Faculty Senate recommends a thorough proofreading of the document.

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