Changes to an existing wire-tapping law have the potential to
pose a financial burden for universities and college students
nationwide.
The federal government is requiring universities to overhaul
their Internet networks by spring of 2007 to allow law enforcement
officials to better monitor online communication.
Colleges and universities have protested, claiming the costs
could total in the billions, said Peter DeBlois, director of
Communications and Publishing at EDUCAUSE, a non-profit association
for technology for higher education that represents 2,000 colleges,
universities and education organizations.
EDUCAUSE has formed a coalition of 15 higher-education
organizations to protest the law.
DeBlois called the law a “huge unfunded mandate,” as
universities are left to pay the cost in full, which may present a
substantial strain on the institutions.
The technical requirements of the law would force universities
to buy expensive new Internet equipment and pay for labor costs
associated with installation.
Without government assistance to cover the costs, “it
could mean millions of dollars to upgrade the systems” for a
college, depending on the size of the institution, DeBlois
said.
Kevin Schmidt, campus network programmer in the Office of
Information Technology at UC Santa Barbara, said the 18-month
timeline for upgrading is “very aggressive.”
The effects of the law on the University of California are not
clear at this point, and the university is considering the
government’s request, said Brigitte Donner, a spokeswoman for
the UC Office of the President.
“UC is currently in the process of evaluating the new rule
and will be assessing any next steps and compliance issues,”
she said.
Donner also said the UC will be able to evaluate the
“implications of the rule for the university after a review
of the rule is completed.”
Because Internet hardware must comply with Communications
Assistance for Law Enforcement Act standards, schools will have a
smaller pool of equipment vendors that produce appropriate
supplies, Schmidt said. CALEA standards are more stringent, and
fewer suppliers carry compliant products.
As a result, schools will have fewer choices when setting up
networks.
And because schools will be required to purchase CALEA-compliant
equipment, costs may increase “not just immediately, but also
going forward,” Schmidt said.
However, he does not believe student fees will increase. The
Office of Information Technology “does not receive money from
student-registration fees.” Most likely, cuts will be made in
other programs, he said, and depending in what areas, the impact of
the law might not be felt by students.
The Federal Communications Commission issued the order in
August, which extends the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law
Enforcement Act.
The 11-year-old law states that telephone carriers must design
their systems so that the federal government can monitor
communication activities. The law extends to universities, airports
with wireless Internet, libraries and Internet access
providers.
The federal government said the changes are necessary for better
surveillance because the communications industry has become more
advanced.
The law “requires all Internet service providers to update
their technology infrastructure to be in compliance,” DeBlois
said.
DeBlois said universities are glad to comply with government
court orders, but take issue with the cost involved with the
requirements.
The FCC has said that, due to the costs of the overhaul, it is
considering whether universities should be exempt from the changes
to the law.