However, while students and the administration may be embracing the practical upsides of the switch to gmail – great value, savings and reliability – faculty at Lakehead haven’t come under Google’s spell. In late 2006, the Lakehead faculty union filed a grievance with the university, now under arbitration, asserting that the e-mail system fails to protect their privacy and academic freedom.
At the heart of the complaint is Google’s status as a U.S. company. Because Google is subject to American law, Lakehead will not be able to protect the contents of faculty’s e-mail from the U.S. government, which under the U.S. Patriot Act can compel Google to hand over data without even allowing the company to inform Lakehead that the transaction took place. Noting that Lakehead was the first school in North America that asked faculty, as well as students, to use an outsourced e-mail service, the Canadian Association of University Teachers has taken up the case.
“If a faculty member knows that any e-mail they write, by virtue of it being handled by Google, could be subject to access and seizure by U.S. security agencies, they might be much less willing to share views with their colleagues” said CAUT Executive Director James Turk. “As we’ve seen all too often, very innocent things can attract the interest of American security officials.”
John Evans on 06 Mar 18"In this tutorial, you will learn how to make an Art Bot which is also known as a Scribblebot or Scribble Machine. These contraptions use a vibrating or offset motor to move around in unpredictable ways. Making an Art Bot is a fun way to learn the basics of creating a simple circuit with a switch. The best part of making these bots is that you can use repurposed and recycled materials. This project is also a great way to incorporate more Art into your STEM education program. You can use markers, crayons, chalk and more to create one of a kind artwork."
