A Resolution regarding the
`Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001'
"WHEREAS: the University of Tennessee, in its fostering of the traditions
of education and in its active promotion of free inquiry and discussion,
relies on and supports the liberties guaranteed to the people in the
Constitutions of the United States and the State of Tennessee;
WHEREAS: the University of Tennessee benefits from the rich diversity of
its community of learners and scholars, from their differences in
political, religious, and cultural heritage and expression, and is proud
of its tradition of protecting their academic freedoms and civil
liberties;
WHEREAS: some provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Pub. L. 107-56, The `Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001'.) and related federal actions, regulations, and executive orders authorize the federal government to constrict the rights to speech, religion, association, privacy, counsel, a fair trial, due process, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures;
WHEREAS: the specific provisions of Sections 209, 212, 214, 215 and 218 of Section II, "Enhanced Surveillance Procedures," can threaten the free inquiry and unfettered pursuit of knowledge that are essential to the mission of the University of Tennessee;
WHEREAS: the specific provisions under Title IV, "Protecting the Border," which regulates immigrants and foreign visitors to the US, as well as monitors international students, can threaten the welcoming climate of our campus;
THEREFORE: we, the Faculty Senate of the University of Tennessee,
Knoxville Campus, acting in the spirit and history of our institution,
stand opposed to any provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that inappropriately restrict essential freedoms and urge that sections 209, 212, 214, 215 and 218 be allowed to expire, as scheduled, on December 31, 2005."
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