The Academic Cooperative

[Gene Gaines <ggaines@generation.net>]

The following email was sent on April 21.  I have been told that 
the university president is studying the issue and will make a
response.  
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To: Richard Bowen <bowerich@isu.edu>
CC: acm@isu.edu
    "Ann Ingram, Asst. to the Governor" <aingram@gov.state.id.us>

Dr. Bowen:

I have learned of "The Academic Cooperative" which is operated
from your university's computers and at your web site address:
http://academicoop.isu.edu/

I would like to know:

 1. Is this an arm of your institution?
    In what manner is this a "cooperative"?

 2. Does The Academic Cooperative have a governing board?

 3. How does The Academic Cooperative link to your school?
    To whom in your institution does this body report?

 4. Who paid for the development of the web pages at this site?

 5. How is The Academic Cooperative financed?
    Is it separately incorporated, or is your university
    responsible for its actions?

 6. How do the funds and product discounts promoted on this site
    get disbursed?  Does ISU have approval authority, and auditing
    of, or any knowledge of how and to whom these funds are
    disbursed?

 7. Is your state governing body for higher education aware of
    this activity and have they authorized this activity?

 8. Are you, your institition, or any of your staff receiving
    payment from Microsoft?  Have such payment been reported to
    your state and Federal funding agencies?

 9. Is your insititution responsible for any liabilities or legal
    actions which might arise from the operations of such programs
    as are presented on this web site?

10. In view of the fact that ISU resources and your institution's
    good name is being used in operation of this site, one
    assumes that you have given your permission.  Is a statement
    available from your office which discloses the terms of
    such permission.

11. Do you know the legal definition of a bribe?

Sir, I have great respect for education and academic freedom,
and disgust for educational insititutions which do not reasonably
guard these.

Gene Gaines
ggaines@generation.net