Pornography aficionados around the University of Texas System may be breathing a sigh of relief this week after a task force issued a report after investigating the use of UT System computers to access pornography. The task force recommended Monday that the System should not implement an Internet filter to block pornographic and other sensitive Web sites.
The group had its first meeting in March and was appointed by System Chancellor Mark Yudof in response to investigations concerning on-campus porn use.
Last year, 10 employees of the UT Health Science Center in Houston were investigated for looking at pornography while at work. As a result of the investigation, software filters were installed at the center.
A Daily Texan investigation last spring also revealed that several UT-Austin employees were fired in 2003 for looking at pornography while at work.
The decision came after some disagreement, but the group ultimately came to a consensus, said Mike Godfrey, general counsel for the UT System and head of the task force.
"Pornography is not illegal; we should not be making moral judgements based on its use," Godfrey said.
Godfrey also said any illegal use of System computers would not be condoned. This includes anything considered obscene such as child pornography or any use of system computers that creates a hostile work environment.
"To use UT System equipment for purposes other than state related activities is a management issue," Godfrey said. "The task force is recommending that this be treated much the way playing games online would be."
The UT System does permit "incidental use of information resources." This includes use of phones and computers for personal business as long as it does not incur a cost for the System.
"If I call my wife before I leave work to see if she needs anything from the grocery store, that would be acceptable according to the guidelines," Godfrey said.
The task force concluded that imposing filters might circumvent legitimate study and would thus be inappropriate.
"People do study pornography for academic purposes," Godfrey said.
Anthony De Bruyn, a spokesman for the System, declined to comment on the report because Yudof is still soliciting reactions from System presidents, as well as faculty, student and employee advisory boards.
The chancellor will make his final decisions over the next few weeks, and will release his comments Oct. 15.
To view the report visit www.utsystem.edu/news/2004/EMSTF-Report09-13-04.htm
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