Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!karazm.math.uh.edu!jet
From: jet@karazm.math.uh.edu (J Eric Townsend)
Subject: Re: Student suspended for distributing /etc/passwd
Message-ID: <1991Jun16.175816.7079@menudo.uh.edu>
Sender: usenet@menudo.uh.edu (USENET News System)
Nntp-Posting-Host: karazm.math.uh.edu
Organization: University of Houston -- Department of Mathematics
References: <1637@lehi3b15.csee.Lehigh.EDU> <1991Jun16.032125.19880@ddsw1.MCS.COM> <1991Jun16.171754.24492@athena.cs.uga.edu>
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1991 17:58:16 GMT


Just a note on all of this.  Recently, our department's master key
(opens all our offices) was stolen.  It wasn't hidden, it was kept
in the receptionist's desk in the main office.  We figure that
a student took advantage of one of the many times the front
office was left unattended for a few seconds to snatch the key.
It's a regular occurence for a student to bring in some sort of
paperwork to drop off with an advisor -- the receptionist(s) will
usually go make a photocopy and give the student back the original.

At any rate, people were exploding left and right, but it was
never suggested that receptionists be fired or that it was their
fault.  The biggest problem was getting everybody new keys, since
the semester was ending and many people were leaving for the summer.

If the student(s) are caught, they'll probably be expelled.  Period.

How is this any different than stealing /etc/passwd from a unix system?

--
J. Eric Townsend - jet@uh.edu - bitnet: jet@UHOU - vox: (713) 749-2126
Skate UNIX! (curb fault: skater dumped)

   --  If you're hacking PowerGloves and Amigas, drop me a line. --