Leap day flowers at SJSU

Spring comes in Winter
It may still be Winter, but as far as the blossoms at SJSU are concerned; it is Spring. All over the campus trees are exploding in wonderful colors. There are flowers of many shapes and sizes. This is my most favorite time of year on our campus. The dollar may be crashing along with the stock market, we may be hip deep in a war that is bleeding us dry and oil may be setting new price records every day, but here at San José State University it is a wonderful day to go for a walk and stop, smell and photograph the flowers.

The way it is here

Union on sharing of passwords at SJSU

This is an Email from Dennis Fox, Chief Steward for the staff employees union at SJSU:

It has come to the attention of the Union that some managers/supervisors are asking their employees to provide username and password information for email and computer accounts and voice mail PIN numbers for voice mailbox access. Everyone needs to be aware that sharing this information with anyone is a violation of University policy and should never be done.

I will cite three references here to demonstrate that you are required by the University to keep this information to yourself and to show that anyone requesting this information is asking you to violate campus policy.

The policy “Privacy of Electronic Information and Communications” makes a clear statement about the privacy of email and files stored on computers, “All electronic mail and files in authorized accounts stored on any campus computing systems shall be considered to be private and confidential, except as required by state or federal law.” See http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/f97-7.htm for the complete document.

The “Information Technology Resources Responsible Use Policy” tasks every individual with the reponsibility to keep their passwords secure and secret, “In accordance with California State Penal Code Section 502, CSU’s 4Cnet Acceptable Use Policy and other policies and laws, activities and behaviors that threaten the integrity of computer networks or systems are prohibited on both University-owned and privately-owned equipment operated on or through University resources. These activities and behaviors include, but are not limited to:
. . .
4. Negligently or intentionally revealing passwords or otherwise permitting the use by others of University-assigned accounts for computer and network access. Individual password security is the responsibility of each user. The user is responsible for all uses of their accounts, independent of authorization.” The full text of this policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S02-8.htm

The California State University “Policy on E-mail Privacy” states, ” 1. All authorized e-mail accounts stored on the CSU telecommunications network shall be considered to be confidential.
2. Requests for access to these accounts or disclosure of confidential information, for any purpose other than technical problem resolution will be reviewed by the senior Academic Affairs Officer, and honored only when required by state or federal law, or when there is probable cause to suspect illegal activity.”

The Union encourages any employee who has been asked/ordered to provide electronic access information to contact a Union steward. Please let us know who requested this information. If the request was in writing we would appreciate a copy. If you have already supplied this information, we encourage you to change your passwords to secure your accounts. The Union will attempt to work with University management to bring a halt to password requests of this nature.

Motoring on SJSU Campus

[Click here to see more related photographs]

HR Surveying Staff

Email sent from HR to staff
This afternoon an Email was sent by Maria Rivera to university staff employees. In my own opinion, not speaking as a union rep, I hope all staff members take the time to complete this survey. I hope the response is representational of the campus community. If you are a staff member and did not get the Email, I would recommend contacting HR. Here is the intro to the Email:

We want San José State University to be an exciting and rewarding place to work. Help us realize our vision of a world-class work environment by completing the 2007 San José State University Employee Engagement Survey. This survey is your opportunity to help shape the future of the university and improve your own work experience in the process. Your feedback will be compiled and used to guide further positive changes across the university. It is critical that you complete the survey by March 7, 2008 for your opinion to be counted.

Also, I hope HR showed the union the proper respect by showing the union this survey and discussing its release prior to sending it out.

Rain on campus

Go to Texas for Obama

My name is Mitch Stewart, and I’m the Texas Field Director for the Obama campaign.

Barack’s won the last eight primaries and caucuses decisively, and we’re heading into the next set of contests with a lot of momentum. But the race for the Democratic nomination is still extremely close.

The March 4th primary in Texas is the single biggest remaining contest, and we need supporters across the country to get involved.

Sign up to take a trip to Texas before March 4th and help Get Out The Vote for Barack:
http://my.barackobama.com/CometoTX

We’re holding training sessions for volunteers at locations across the state on Saturday, March 1st at 12:00 p.m. You are strongly encouraged to arrive in Texas in time for the training.

You’ll spend the next three days working with our staff and fellow volunteers to help get every Obama supporter in Texas out to the polls on Tuesday, March 4th. There’s no better way to make a difference in this election.

No prior experience is necessary — whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned veteran, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime organizing for Barack on the ground.

Learn more and sign up to come make history in Texas:
http://my.barackobama.com/CometoTX

As we enter the final stages of this election, both campaigns are focusing on the crucial March 4th primaries.

Senator Clinton’s campaign has even described Texas as a “must-win” state, and they’re already devoting unprecedented resources to their operation here.

Our campaign has always relied on grassroots supporters to build our movement and spread the word about Barack Obama. I hope you’ll join us in Texas and keep the momentum going.

Thank you,
Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Texas Field Director
Obama for America

What Obama has to offer

Hope
Bush – Clinton – Bush – ????
In this time of rising fuel and cost of living prices and a war that seems headed for no good end only one candidate offers a serious opportunity for change. Why are so many young people supporting Obama? Why has the Service Employees International Union, the union that represents most staff employees at SJSU, endorsed Obama? Why do I support Obama? Listen to what he has to say.

We know the battle ahead will be long. But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics. And they will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks and months to come.

We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.

It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.

I am supporting Barack Obama for President because I believe, there has never been anything false about hope.
~Steve

Yes, we can!