Spring Break
Campus may ban Skype
Stefanie Chase
Issue date: 9/18/06 Section: News
Students and faculty at San Jose State University may have to find a new way to communicate with people around the world if a ban on Skype, a voice-over Internet protocol, is implemented.
A policy statement was released last week explaining why Skype may no longer be allowed at SJSU.
Don Baker, interim associate vice president of university computing and telecommunications, said some of the reasons include the use of state resources for retail purposes and the fear of acquiring computer viruses.
According to the Skype Web site, "Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world."
Steve Sloan, help desk and information technology support services specialist, said Skype can also be used to chat, similar to Instant Messenger, and to send files.
Baker said one problem with Skype is that it uses grid computing.
Grid computing, in the case of Skype, is a system that allows users access to other Skype users' networks, whether the other user is using Skype at that time or not.
Baker said the problem with grid computing at SJSU is that it uses state resources for retail purposes. Baker added that Skype, in SJSU's case, takes a state-funded computer and uses an outside company to place calls.
If Skype continues to be used on state-funded computers, this could potentially make taxpayers upset, Baker said.
"We're talking about broadband issues," said Alfred Eclipse, academic technical services coordinator for the TV education network at SJSU.
Baker said the conflict that must be resolved is that some colleges at the university want Skype banned while others want to use it.
He added that those who are against the program may have concerns about worms and viruses obtained through Skype.
According to Sloan, Skype is a tool that some teachers use in the classroom. He said that if Skype is no longer permitted on the SJSU campus, it will be a "disadvantage to educators as well (as to students)."
"I think it's going to have a significant impact," Sloan said.
Eclipse said there are other programs similar to Skype that can be used.
"At this point in time, the way I see it (is), Skype is more of a personal preference," Eclipse said.
Eclipse added that the TV education network uses a different program that performs the same tasks that Skype is capable of doing.
Baker said the decision to ban Skype at SJSU does look like a possibility.
"…We haven't made that decision (yet)," Baker said.
He said people for and against Skype will share their arguments, and the decision will be reviewed this week.
A policy statement was released last week explaining why Skype may no longer be allowed at SJSU.
Don Baker, interim associate vice president of university computing and telecommunications, said some of the reasons include the use of state resources for retail purposes and the fear of acquiring computer viruses.
According to the Skype Web site, "Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world."
Steve Sloan, help desk and information technology support services specialist, said Skype can also be used to chat, similar to Instant Messenger, and to send files.
Baker said one problem with Skype is that it uses grid computing.
Grid computing, in the case of Skype, is a system that allows users access to other Skype users' networks, whether the other user is using Skype at that time or not.
Baker said the problem with grid computing at SJSU is that it uses state resources for retail purposes. Baker added that Skype, in SJSU's case, takes a state-funded computer and uses an outside company to place calls.
If Skype continues to be used on state-funded computers, this could potentially make taxpayers upset, Baker said.
"We're talking about broadband issues," said Alfred Eclipse, academic technical services coordinator for the TV education network at SJSU.
Baker said the conflict that must be resolved is that some colleges at the university want Skype banned while others want to use it.
He added that those who are against the program may have concerns about worms and viruses obtained through Skype.
According to Sloan, Skype is a tool that some teachers use in the classroom. He said that if Skype is no longer permitted on the SJSU campus, it will be a "disadvantage to educators as well (as to students)."
"I think it's going to have a significant impact," Sloan said.
Eclipse said there are other programs similar to Skype that can be used.
"At this point in time, the way I see it (is), Skype is more of a personal preference," Eclipse said.
Eclipse added that the TV education network uses a different program that performs the same tasks that Skype is capable of doing.
Baker said the decision to ban Skype at SJSU does look like a possibility.
"…We haven't made that decision (yet)," Baker said.
He said people for and against Skype will share their arguments, and the decision will be reviewed this week.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Ian Koh
posted 9/18/06 @ 7:16 AM PST
The Skype program was designed as a chat program and free calls thru the internet for people who can't afford to place International phone calls. To ban Skype all together is unfair, as we might have students or even staffs on campus who are from countries other than America. (Continued…)
andrewvenegas
Andrew Venegas
posted 9/18/06 @ 11:13 AM PST
The last line of the article quotes Baker as saying there will be discussion on whether or not to ban Skype, but where and when will these discussions be - will students be involved? Will Skype still be banned while the discussion is happening? Who will lead the discussion, and where does the buck stop on deciding whether there is a ban or not?
Zoe
posted 9/25/06 @ 12:11 AM PST
I'm an international student, I use Skype everyday to contact with my family.
If the school decided to ban Skype at SJSU, this will be a really big disaster to me!
This means I'll have to spend a lot of money on international call in the future. (Continued…)
Heather
posted 3/17/09 @ 8:14 AM PST
This puts Universities interested in international education (hybrid and online courses and programs) at a significant disadvantage. Unless schools come up with another solution, Skype is the best product out there. (Continued…)
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