Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h24IsHP27143; Tue, 4 Mar 2003 13:54:17 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 13:54:17 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20030304135204.00ab01a0@mail.psnyc.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Winston Lawrence <winstonl@lacnyc.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:8731] Re: NIFL's Policy X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) Status: O Content-Length: 4354 Lines: 91 I appreciate your effort to maintain decorum on this list-serv. Your explanation of the unfolding of events is greatly appreciated. I think the problem may well lie within the context of un moderated list-serv. I remember my reactions when in the beginning of the discussions I saw some personal attacks. I thought to myself, no offence intended, "Is the List moderator sleeping or away? Didn't she/he see this"? I would suggest that you intervene earlier whenever situations of this type occur. On some lists, such comments would not pass. At a policy level, you need to preserve the "netiquette", since many teachers/tutors view this list as an important source of information to enhance their classroom instructional practices. There is no need to turn them away, even unintentionally. Winston Lawrence At 02:21 PM 3/3/03 -0500, you wrote: >Dear Subscribers; > >I would like to re-emphasize NIFL's policy regarding content and methods of >discussions on NIFL lists: > >1. For those who are concerned about censorship, NIFL lists are not >moderated - messages posted to the lists are not screened by moderators >before they are posted. This policy was established based on the assumption >that list participants would respect their initial agreement to adhere to >the lists rules and "netiquette." When the lists were created, NIFL did not >believe in limiting or controlling the content; and entrusted list members >to create a space where ideas can be exchanged openly and with respect. >Since 1995, when the discussion lists were established on LINCS, there have >been very few cases where participants disregarded NIFL's policy. NIFL >handled these incidents accordingly. > >2. NIFL reserves the right to block participants who continue to be >offensive to the list moderators or other list participants. Our policy has >been to handle each case privately with the posters, requesting them to >respect the list "netiquette." In cases where the posters continue their >offensive messages, NIFL reserves the right to take them off the list. > >Throughout the life of the NIFL discussion lists, many participants have >openly and freely discussed pros and cons of political issues that they care >about within the context and the focus of the of the NIFL lists. During the >past few weeks, a list member, in a few of his messages, has attempted to >use this list as a political forum for his personal positions and a tool to >insult those who do not agree with him and has overstepped the boundaries of >respect. > >The ESL list moderator, Lynda Terrill, sent him a private message, reminding >him of the focus of the list as well as inviting him to review the list >"netiquette". His response to her was disrespectful. He continued to extend >his offensive remarks to her and other members of the list. Several list >participants who were offended by his messages have unsubscribed themselves >from the list. NIFL has received private messages indicating their disgust >at his remarks. NIFL cannot allow this behavior to continue. >This member was taken off from the list based on his offensive remarks and >not because of his political views. Over the weekend, he signed up again to >the list that he quoted is "a repressive wasteland, like much of the >political and social climate of the current US" (see message >[NIFL-ESL:8687]). NIFL will block his new subscription and will remove his >abusive messages from the archives. > >I encourage list participants not to respond to messages that contain >offensive remarks. As with any list, any series of angry letters, especially >where messages are directed to one or two people, can dominate the tone and >destroy the camaraderie of a discussion group. It's unfair to the other >members of the group and it is an unfair monopolization of our time. >Thank you for your patience in this matter. Please contact us directly if >you have any questions or comments. > >Jaleh Behroozi Soroui >National LINCS Director >National Institute for Literacy >1775 I street, Suite 730 >Washington DC, 20006 >Phone: 202/233-2039 >FAX: 202/233-2050 > >www.nifl.gov/lincs > > > -------------------------------- Dr Winston Lawrence Coordinator of Adult Literacy Services Literacy Assistance Center 32 Broadway 10th Floor NY NY 10004 winstonl@lacnyc.org Tel. (212) 803-3326 Fax:(212) 785-3685
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