IP: Microsoft, Hughes out of California university system's tech

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

From: Chris Metcalfe <chris () media mit edu>


Prof Farber,


I thought this article might be of interest to your IP readers.
(especially those who are in academia!)


Just goes to show, it doesn't make business sense to force NT down
students throats!


-- Chris


University Wire: The State Hornet


   Microsoft, Hughes out of California university system's tech
partnership
   By Sekhar Padmanabhan
  The State Hornet
    04/17/98


(U-WIRE) SACRAMENTO, Calif. --  Two of four high-tech giants are no
longer partners in the unprecedented, $365 million deal to upgrade the
California State University system's technological infrastructure.




Microsoft and Hughes will not be partners in the California Education
Technology Initiative because financial arrangements could not be worked
out, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said Thursday.




Reed confirmed what many student and faculty groups had been predicting
for months: that Microsoft Corp., under investigation by the U.S.
Department of Justice for alleged antitrust violations, would either
pull -- or be kicked -- out.




However, CSU spokesman Ken Swisher denied Microsoft's current image
problem as a reason for Microsoft's removal.




"There were different factors," Swisher said.




Swisher asserted CSU is still working with Microsoft on an
"appropriate" relationship, one "that we can agree on and that works for
both parties."




"We will continue to work together on other projects, and remain
committed to providing the best technology and thinking," said Microsoft
spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis.




Officials from Hughes could not be reached for comment.




Reed said, "If necessary, we may seek new partners (that) are
interested in joining this effort..."




This is the fourth delay for CETI since December. It may not be
finished until "well into the next academic year," according to Reed.




He said from now on CETI must be carefully negotiated in the best
academic and financial interests of the university system and its
faculty, staff and students.




With the much-investigated Microsoft and the lower-profile Hughes out,
only Fujitsu and the project's major backer, GTE, remain.




CETI was critisized by faculty who feared corporate control in the
classroom, though CSU officials denied this.




Several student groups drafted resolutions against CETI. Six CSU
academic senates did the same.




But CSU officials see CETI as the only way the university can move its
technology into the 21st century.




"The state is unable to provide the $300 million needed to build this
infrastructure. (CETI) may well serve as a public-private model for
universities around the country," Reed said.




---------------------------------------


Comments about U-Wire.


) 1997 U-Wire The daily electronic newswire for the collegiate
media.