[Infowarrior] - FBI to restrict student freedoms

[Richard Forno]

FBI to restrict student freedoms
Submitted by Canada IFP on Sun, 2007-06-24 06:58.Americas | United States |
News

http://pressesc.com/01182668252_espionage_indicators


US university students will not be able to work late at the campus, travel
abroad, show interest in their colleagues' work, have friends outside the
United States, engage in independent research, or make extra money without
the prior consent of the authorities, according to a set of guidelines given
to administrators by the FBI.

Federal agents are visiting some of the New England's top universities,
including MIT, Boston College, and the University of Massachusetts, to warn
university heads about the dangers of foreign spies and terrorists stealing
sensitive academic research.

FBI is offering to brief faculty, students and staff on what it calls
"espionage indicators" aimed at identifying foreign agents.

Unexplained affluence, failing to report overseas travel, showing unusual
interest in information outside the job scope, keeping unusual work hours,
unreported contacts with foreign nationals, unreported contact with foreign
government, military, or intelligence officials, attempting to gain new
accesses without the need to know, and unexplained absences are all
considered potential espionage indicators.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to monitor their colleagues for
signs of suspicious behaviour and report any concerns to the FBI or the
military.

"What we're most concerned about are those things that are not classified
being developed by MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology], Worcester
Polytech [Worcester Polytechnic Institute] and other universities," Warren
Bamford, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office, told the Boston
Herald. "It's to make sure these institutions receive training...[on] what
spies look for. There are hundreds of projects going on that could be useful
to a foreign power."

"My understanding is that what the FBI is proposing is not illegal, but it
does raise questions about the chilling effect in regard to academia,"Chris
Ott, Communications Manager of the ACLU of Massachusetts told WSWS. "What
will it mean about feeling free to pursue information? People on the
campuses will be afraid to ask questions or take on the investigation of
certain areas, say, for example, nuclear energy. "

University administrators have expressed their appreciation of FBI efforts.

"It was a very nice offer," Robert A. Weygand, vice president for
administration and a former Rhode Island congressman told the Boston Herald.
"We are taking it under consideration."

Last year the FBI initiated the College and University Security Effort
(CAUSE), in order to establish an "alliance" between the Federal agency and
academic institutions.

According to the FBI, through CAUSE, Special Agents in charge meet with the
heads of local colleges to discuss national security issues and to share
information and ideas.