Commercial interests own this campus. I have tried without success for a couple of weeks to set up a Free Speech Alley promotion of free software. The paradoxical reason for denial was that LSU is "solicitation free" and they don't want the Alley to be too crowded. The rules work very well to reduce crowding and the tables in front of the LSU Union sit empty most days. I was threatened with a Police "escort" if I were to dare sit at one of those empty tables and hand out CDs. Obviously, Microsoft and other spammers don't have the same problem getting time, space and facilities on campus to promote themselves.
The rules for non-free speech alley are simple but restrictive. You have to be a member of an approved campus organization or have special permission to set up. An individual can not just sit down and talk to people. A commercial interest, it seems, can use a campus organization to promote itself as was the case of the Microsoft promotion of the "One Note" program and Tigerware. An individual is just out of luck, unless they don't mind being arrested as an intrepid Mary Kay sales lady was yesterday. The net result is that individuals are squelched in favor of the most organized or dedicated groups like Amnesty International, Microsoft and military recruiters. That's hardly free. I petitioned all available channels for permission. Pat, at Union Programs laid out the rules for me and a friend who was also interested. We were told to petition a Vice Chancellor or to find a student group to sponsor us. I did both. Mr. Monday was busy, and has yet to respond to email requests or to use the contact information we provided in a half hour long interview with his secretary. A Microsoft employee of the LSU ACM seemed helpful, but no other interest within the ACM itself has been expressed so far. There no longer is an LSU LUG and I can't think of another organization that would be more interested or willing to sponsor me. The game is not over, but I'm starting to get tired of it. The ease with which Microsoft uses campus facilities and communications channels to advertise themselves is disgusting. They are able to promote themselves at specail events like the following quoted, Free Speech Alley and LSU's PAWS email system, which you can visit for yourself at paws.lsu.edu. There you will learn about "Free classes in Microsoft Office and web design software that are designed to help you jumpSTART your career." and "Special Prices for Microsoft Software" everyday. The word "tool" comes to mind. I might just go waste my time at the commercial love fest advertised. It would be fun to ask questions and report answers back here. ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: IT Expo and IT Commons Grand Opening Date: Tuesday 13 February 2007 10:44 From: "Broadcast Center" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Broadcast_LSU_Community at gateway.lsu.edu Who: Student Government and Information Technology Services What: Grand Opening of IT Commons and IT Expo When: 8:00am starting at Middleton Library, guest speaker from the FBI CyberCrimes Task Force at 8:30am in DODSON Auditorium, then back to Middleton for more events! Why: To offer all-day workshops and booths showcasing what LSU IT has to offer, not to mention the vendors that will be on hand such as Microsoft, Dell, Apple, Lenovo and Cingular! -------------------------------------------------------
