--- Forwarded Message from Dennie Hoopingarner <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: Dennie Hoopingarner <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Cloud computing applications?
>Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 18:53:39 -0400

My university recently issued a cautionary statement to faculty and  
staff concerning so-called "cloud computing" applications such as  
Google Apps. The concern on the part of the university stems from a  
clause in the terms of service that gives Google permission to use the  
content that users put into the applications. For example, if someone  
has a great idea for a marketable product, and types her notes in  
Google Docs, then Google would have permission to use the idea in any  
way the company wanted.

Since the content resides on Google's servers, it's a possibility that  
the content will eventually be indexed and be available to searching.  
In that light, it's a no-brainer that these applications should not be  
used for university business (imagine a termination letter or a  
contract showing up in a Google search!). But what about educational  
use?

The collaborative functions of the word processor open many  
possibilities for teaching. But should we have our students use these  
tools when it possible that they are giving away some of their rights  
by doing so?

I've been charged to find out what other institutions are doing about  
these new tools. Does your institution have a policy? Has anyone been  
able to negotiate separate terms of use to protect students from the  
sweeping rights to students' content that the companies assert?

In case you'd like to see what Michigan State is doing, here are a few  
links. The first is to the cautionary, shot-across-the-bow document  
that was issued last November: http://techbase.msu.edu/article.asp?id=9363 
. Second is a clarified version with more background:
http://lct.msu.edu/documents/LCT-Appropriate_Uses_of_Cloud_Computing_22_Apr_08.p
df

Please share with me your institution's position of this issue, either  
to me directly, or to the list. I'll summarize our findings.

Dennie Hoopingarner
[log in to unmask]








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