EDUCAUSE and Internet2 Applaud Obama, FCC Stance on Net Neutrality

Greg Jackson, Vice President for Policy and Analysis, EDUCAUSE, and Gary Bachula, Vice President for External Relations, Internet2, released the following statement on behalf of their respective organizations:

EDUCAUSE and Internet2 are extremely pleased that President Obama and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Genachowski announced yesterday their support for keeping the Internet open and accessible as a medium for teachingand learning, research, collaboration, and innovation. Preserving the openness of the Internet is as fundamental to our institutions of higher education as the principle of academic freedom.Yesterday's statements reaffirm that the rules on which the Internet was founded and flourished will continue to safeguard the ability of students, faculty, and staff to rely upon their broadband connections to engage in the free flow of ideas without interference by commercial Internet service providers.
 
We are particularly pleased that the statements of both President Obama and Chairman Genachowski recognize the important role that an open Internet plays in education, research, and outreach, including distance learning. We applaud this administration for its forward-looking and principled protection of the Internet as an essential medium for discovery and innovation. As the process proceeds, EDUCAUSE and Internet2 look forward to working with the FCC to help resolve many of the details surrounding this complex issue.

About EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association and the foremost community of IT leaders and professionals committed to advancing higher education. EDUCAUSE programs and services are focused on analysis, advocacy, community building, professional development, and knowledge creation because IT plays a transformative role in higher education. EDUCAUSE supports those who lead, manage, and use information technology through a comprehensive range of resources and activities. For more information, visit www.educause.edu.

About Internet2

Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment, and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. Internet2 brings the U.S. research and academic community together with technology leaders from industry, government, and the international community to undertake collaborative efforts that have a fundamental impact on tomorrow's Internet. For more information: www.internet2.edu.

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