I have recently been interviewed by Computerworld to discuss the problems of portable storage, ie. memory sticks, iPods, USB hard drives. Here are the links to the full text as well as the ensuing slashdot discussion:

Colleges Struggle with mandates to prohibit portable storage
Slashdot Thread

The post interview experience was interesting and taught me that is is important to be specific and brief while interviewing. It was clear, through the resulting Slashdot thread and work conversations, that even a topic that I thought was very straightforward has a variety of viewpoints; one of the most prevalent of which is the sentiment that because universities are open collaborative environments any restrictions are either unnecessary or directly contrary to the primary goal of the university.

The belief that universities must continue to remain open is one that I share. Collaboration and experimentation are vital; but we can't be blind to the business side of a university: student records, admissions, HIPAA, employee records, HR information, etc. The business of a university is equally important to the vitality of the place; and it is that perspective from which I was speaking.