MSU Drops Spam Charges Against Student

Michigan State University has dropped the spam charges it filed against a student last year. Kara Spencer was hit with a disciplinary hearing after she sent an email to 391 faculty members protesting a change in the school’s calendar. MSU’s acceptable use policy prohibits sending unsolicted email that contains advertising, politicial statements or solicitations to more than 30 people without prior authorization. Spencer defended her actions saying her email was not political. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and other 12 other civil liberties organizations supported Spencer’s position and defended her, arguing that the policy was a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech and the EFF was prepared to file a lawsuit against the school on her behalf.

          “We’re pleased that MSU has reversed course and will not only drop the charge against Ms. Spencer, but will reconsider its flawed policies,” said EFF Legal Director Cindy Cohn. “When a school’s anti-spam policy requires students to get approval before they discuss school policy with school officials, it has plainly left the realm of protecting against spam and has violated the Constitution.”

The school has agreed to revise its policies and pledged to work with Spencer to ensure the new policy respects students’ rights to free speech. There has been no comment from the science professor who’s complaint caused the charges to be brought against Spencer in the first place. Of the 391 faculty members who got the email, she was the only one to complain.