University leaders express concerns of federal wiretapping

Tuesday, January 3rd 2006, 5:36 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- College and university leaders in Oklahoma say they're concerned about a new federal wiretapping law that makes it easier for authorities to monitor online activity.

The American Council on Education says the cost to upgrade campus computer networks to allow that kind of access could be $7-billion or about $450 per student.

OneNet -- the state division that supplies Internet service to public schools and universities -- recently spent about $8-million upgrading its system.

Some in the higher education community have asked to be exempt from the changes, citing the cost and security concerns.

Representatives from the state's three largest universities say they are taking a wait-and-see approach and not investing money in new technology.