The Dark Knight at Clemson

Many who have seen the summer blockbuster, The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as the ever-popular Caped Crusader believe it to be the best Batman movie ever produced. Also Heath Ledger's performance of the popular nemesis, the Joker, has caused many to suggest that it is a performance worthy of an Oscar nomination. Even the performance of Aaron Eckhart as Gotham's white knight later turned twisted, double-personality, coin-flipper Two-Face, was a hit among hard core comic book fans.

The cast of the movie are also appearing in Clemson all over campus. The movies popularity around the world has so many Clemson students excited, that some have decided that they could not wait for the film's impending release to DVD and Blue Ray Disc and so have used their internet access available through Clemson University to illegally download the movie. Unfortunately, this type of activity is frowned upon by the music and film industry and is discouraged here at Clemson University. The Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America are quick to prosecute individuals who are responsible for illegally downloading copyrighted materials. 

What this Means for You 

If you are a student who has used "University computing resources, including network facilities, account numbers, data storage media, printers, plotters, microcomputer systems, software," to illegally download copyrighted materials such as a movies, songs, etc., this is a violation of the University's Computer Misuse Policy. For more information on the Computer Misuse Policy please see the CCIT website. Continued misuse of Clemson's computing resources could result in termination of your internet access. 

If you have not used our resources to illegally obtain copyrighted materials, but still you are in possession of illegally downloaded music and/or movies, the Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America are actively seeking you out. Akin to theft, piracy is a crime and it does violate Federal, State, and Local Law. Every semester we receive letters from the recording and movie industry telling us of students who are currently violating U.S. Copyright Law. Even if you received something from a friend, according to the Motion Picture Association website, "The illegal downloading and swapping of movie files is a serious crime. Pirates and their affiliates will be tracked for engaging in Internet piracy." 

Some students seem to believe that committing piracy is a victimless crime. However, there are many consequences for engaging in this behavior and it does effect everyone, including movie-lovers. Much like department stores and shoplifting, ticket, music, and movie prices will continue to rise to compensate for the loss. 

Students Responsible for the Clemson Community

What does One Clemson mean to you? What does the term Clemson Family mean? Well, to a group of students, faculty, and staff it means holding ourselves and those around us accountable to the core values and standards of our community. It means speaking out and challenging unfair, unjust, or uncivil behaviors. If you are not a very vocal person, it could also mean to help promote the values of the Clemson community, or role-modeling the standards of our community that every student should live up to.

There is a new Facebook group available to Clemson students who are interested in becoming a part of this movement. Search under groups Students Responsible for the Clemson Community. There, you will find more information on how you can become involved in helping to create the nation's "most engaged, satisfied, and successful student body."

-j-

RA Training

I just wanted to give a big shout-out to all of the amazing Resident Assistants I have met over the past two days. I am very optimistic about this new group of RA's this year and I think the residents in University Housing will really benefit from the excitement, knowledge, and spirit of the Residential Life staff this year. While I was only supposed to be there to discuss procedural stuff, we ended up talking about so many other things both during the presentations and afterwards. 

First, I must say that this is a very honest group. None more honest than L.S! You want to know how they are feeling, all you have to do is ask. I also appreciate the fact that this group of RA's readily admits mistakes and wants to improve. We already know this group is filled with integrity just by the fact that they were selected to be an RA. However, having a chance to work with them again today for the Gantt Intercultural Center's One Clemson program I can see that this group is filled with a lot of respect for each, their residents, and other people in general. 

Kudos to Clemson University Housing for hiring such a fine group of role models for the Clemson community. Finally, the Byrnes boys continue to be one of my favorite groups by virtue of their energy, quirkiness, and the fact that they are in the OCES office as I type this for today's building time (an honorable mention must go to Manning, Lever, and Mauldin Halls as favorites as well).

-j-