Campus may ban Skype

By: Stefanie Chase

Posted: 9/18/06

Students and faculty at San Jose State University may have to find a new way to communicate with people around the world if a ban on Skype, a voice-over Internet protocol, is implemented.

A policy statement was released last week explaining why Skype may no longer be allowed at SJSU.

Don Baker, interim associate vice president of university computing and telecommunications, said some of the reasons include the use of state resources for retail purposes and the fear of acquiring computer viruses.

According to the Skype Web site, "Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world."

Steve Sloan, help desk and information technology support services specialist, said Skype can also be used to chat, similar to Instant Messenger, and to send files.

Baker said one problem with Skype is that it uses grid computing.

Grid computing, in the case of Skype, is a system that allows users access to other Skype users' networks, whether the other user is using Skype at that time or not.

Baker said the problem with grid computing at SJSU is that it uses state resources for retail purposes. Baker added that Skype, in SJSU's case, takes a state-funded computer and uses an outside company to place calls.

If Skype continues to be used on state-funded computers, this could potentially make taxpayers upset, Baker said.

"We're talking about broadband issues," said Alfred Eclipse, academic technical services coordinator for the TV education network at SJSU.

Baker said the conflict that must be resolved is that some colleges at the university want Skype banned while others want to use it.

He added that those who are against the program may have concerns about worms and viruses obtained through Skype.

According to Sloan, Skype is a tool that some teachers use in the classroom. He said that if Skype is no longer permitted on the SJSU campus, it will be a "disadvantage to educators as well (as to students)."

"I think it's going to have a significant impact," Sloan said.

Eclipse said there are other programs similar to Skype that can be used.

"At this point in time, the way I see it (is), Skype is more of a personal preference," Eclipse said.

Eclipse added that the TV education network uses a different program that performs the same tasks that Skype is capable of doing.

Baker said the decision to ban Skype at SJSU does look like a possibility.

"…We haven't made that decision (yet)," Baker said.

He said people for and against Skype will share their arguments, and the decision will be reviewed this week.