The Kept-Up Academic Librarian

Fair Use Defense Doesn't Work For Student Sued For Downloading Music

A graduate student who must pay four record labels a combined $675,000 in damages for downloading and sharing songs online has been ordered to destroy his illegal music files -- but a judge declined to force him to stop promoting the activity that got him in trouble. Cara Duckworth, a spokeswoman for the Recording Industry Association of America, said the group was satisfied that the judge required Tenenbaum "to destroy all illegal music files and refrain from further theft of our music." In a separate memorandum released Monday, Gertner described her reasons for rejecting Tenenbaum's "fair use" defense. Read more at: http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/12/07/student_ordered_to_destroy_downloaded_music_files_1260223233/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Education+news

Battle Over Law Students' Innocence Project

As the Medill Innocence Project is raising concerns about another case, that of a man convicted in a murder 31 years ago, a hearing has been scheduled next month in Cook County Circuit Court on an unusual request: Local prosecutors have subpoenaed the grades, grading criteria, class syllabus, expense reports and e-mail messages of the journalism students themselves. The prosecutors, it seems, wish to scrutinize the methods of the students this time. The university is fighting the subpoenas. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/us/25innocence.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

This Will Only Make Campuses Less Safe

Colleges would lose the right to prohibit concealed weapons on campus under a proposed bill that was blasted by university officials at a House committee hearing in Lansing on Tuesday. Universities and colleges are exempt from a state law that prohibits local governments from regulating firearms. The bill would extend that prohibition to institutions of higher learning. "I can't think of a more dangerous combination: Youth, alcohol and a weapon all in close proximity." Read more at:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091021/POLITICS02/910210371/1026/rss06

Legislation Would Expand Federal Aid For College Students

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation that expands federal aid to college students while ending federal subsidies to private lenders. By shifting to direct federal lending, the Obama administration said it would save more than $80 billion over 10 years. The student-loan legislation would provide $40 billion to increase the maximum annual Pell grant scholarship to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019, from $5,350 now. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/education/18educ.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Waves Of Veterans Expected To Enter College

With provisions not only for tuition, but books and living expenses as well, waves of veterans are expected to jump at the chance to earn undergraduate or advanced degrees as the new Post-9/11 GI Bill kicks in Saturday. Already, 112,000 have had their eligibility for benefits approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. "It represents the first time since the original GI Bill where affordability is very unlikely to be a barrier as they seek the college of their choice," says Jim Selbe, who manages military programs for the American Council on Education (ACE), a higher education association in Washington. Read more at:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0731/p02s13-usmi.html

Television Series' Use Of University Of Utah Logo Brings Lawsuit

The shot lasts about three seconds, but there is no mistaking the crimson block U, an icon that has been trademarked by the University of Utah. The school's logo appears on a letter in the most recent season finale of "Big Love," HBO's Emmy-nominated hit series depicting polygamous life in Utah, and the U. wants it scrubbed out before the DVD is released. Putting the school's logo and name on an official-looking document, used in the episode "Sacrament" that aired March 22, gives the false impression the U. is associated with the show, according to university spokeswoman Coralie Alder. Officials contend the scene constitutes an ongoing trademark infringement in violation of federal law. The U. isn't alone in defending its trademarked logos, mascots and other imagery against unauthorized use. Read more at:
http://www.sltrib.com/tv/ci_12768989

Congress Looking To Rein In Credit Card Abuse Of College Students

Credit card companies beware: Congress is watching. A flurry of bills is in the works in the House of Representatives and the Senate that would rein in how those companies do business. One proposed change that's triggered interest among lawmakers, particularly as the economy sours, would make it harder for college students to qualify for credit cards. "It really is just too easy," said Christine Lindstrom, the director of the Higher Education Project at the nonpartisan Public Interest Research Group. "They will do anything to be the first card in college students' wallets. They don't do credit checks. They don't even know if students have income." Read more at:
http://www.modbee.com/inauguration/story/746919.html

Legislation Helps Mississippi Slow Diploma Mill Growth

Three years after the passage of legislation intended to slow diploma mills and unapproved schools in Mississippi, officials say the system appears to be improving. Mississippi, which historically has had lax oversight of higher education institutions, had become a haven for such businesses. But in 2006, state lawmakers charged the state Commission on College Accreditation to shut down unapproved colleges and reputed diploma mills. Since the new law took effect, about 10 unapproved schools have closed. Read more at:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090615/NEWS/906150319/Diploma+mill+ban+showing+results

Credit Card Legislation Could Help And Hurt College Students

The credit-card reform bill expected to clear the Senate Tuesday signals big changes in how Americans use credit, but no group will feel the impact of these changes as much as students and consumers under age 21. On the one hand, the new law promises them the same protections it promises to the nation as a whole: more transparency, less-arbitrary rate hikes, fewer surprises in the small print. It also adds special protections for young consumers. But may this may come at a price: less access to credit, especially among young people – precisely at a time when they are becoming more dependent upon it. Read more at:
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/05/19/credit-card-bill-could-hit-students-hardest/

Illegal Immigrants Moving Closer To Paying In-State Tuition Rate

Champions of a proposal to allow illegal immigrants in New Jersey to pay in-state college tuition could be forgiven for believing, after years of frustration and defeat, that their cause may finally have momentum. A blue-ribbon panel convened by Gov. Jon S. Corzine to study immigration matters unanimously supported the proposal in a report issued last month, and the governor has also endorsed the idea. Meanwhile, a new, more liberal wind blows in Washington. The bills, versions of which have languished for years in the Legislature, would allow an illegal immigrant who had attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years and graduated to be eligible for in-state tuition at a publicly supported college or university. Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/nyregion/20tuition.html?_r=3