--- begin forwarded text Delivered-To: rah@shipwright.com Delivered-To: clips@philodox.com Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2006 16:45:50 -0400 To: Philodox Clips List <clips@philodox.com> From: "R.A. Hettinga" <rah@shipwright.com> Subject: [Clips] Students cry foul over cell phone policy Reply-To: clips-chat@philodox.com Sender: clips-bounces@philodox.com <http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=134816&format=text> MetroWest Daily News Students cry foul over cell phone policy: Teens say officials are 'overreacting' and violating their privacy By Eric Athas/ Daily News Correspondent Saturday, July 8, 2006 - Updated: 02:04 PM EST FRAMINGHAM -- Fearing their wireless freedom may be in jeopardy, students at Framingham High School were fuming over a new school policy that allows administrators to seize cell phones and search their contents. School searches Principals claim right to search cell phones The policy, administrators say, is to improve security and stop the sale of drugs and stolen goods, but students said that the edict is an invasion of privacy. "It's not anyone's business what is in students' cell phones," said Demitriy Kozlov, who will be a senior in September. "If they think someone's dealing a pound of coke or pot, then there is a reason to, but that doesn't happen here." Kozlov said he believes administrators are overreacting and making the school appear more troublesome than it actually is. School officials "reserve the right to look through the cell phone," when they suspect a student has drugs or stolen goods, according to Principal Michael Welch. "People shouldn't get power based on suspicions, people should be considered innocent until proven guilty," said senior Adam Goldberg. "It feels like our rights are stripped away when we walk through the doors." Scott Siegal is a senior at Newton South High School, where Welch was principal before going to Framingham, and said there is a major difference in Newton South and Framingham's policies. "We have an open campus at Newton South, and it seems like (Welch) is making things stricter at Framingham," said Siegal, who was a sophomore when Welch was the principal at Newton South. "We would never have had a policy like this." The rule complies with federal law, which says a school can conduct searches when there is "reasonable suspicion" that a student has contraband. "It's kind of ridiculous," said Dayna Green, who recently graduated from Framingham, and is headed to Fitchburg State College in September. "They try to make us feel independent, but then they invade our privacy." The cell phone policy is not the only change at Framingham: Staff will be required to wear identification badges at school. That move is an attempt to keep track of people who should not be on school property. Green said the policy will only make students feel uncomfortable, and will not stop students from breaking the rules. "I think it is more of a scare tactic," she said. "Something bad is going to happen everywhere." -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' _______________________________________________ Clips mailing list Clips@philodox.com http://www.philodox.com/mailman/listinfo/clips --- end forwarded text -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'