Issues and Positions

At any time, higher education faces a number of information technology (IT) challenges. Some of these center on campus IT, some involve government action that either arises from or affects campus IT directly, and some result from government IT initiatives that affect higher education's overall role in national IT.

EDUCAUSE Policy tracks issues in six main policy areas; each area comprises a number of related subtopics, from action around particular bills to helpful resources for a specific issue.

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Colleges and universities face major requirements to ensure accessible IT environments.

Accountability
Public demand for higher education accountability drives demand for data and technology to address major policy questions.

E-Learning
Online learning environments—on campus or at a distance—and the policy issues that affect them have come to the forefront of higher education.

Intellectual Property
Higher education institutions, as major producers and users of intellectual property, have an important stake in policies governing copyright, patents, trademarks, licensing, and access to information.

Networking and Telecommunications
Public and corporate policies related to networked information and telecommunications have a direct impact on campus networks that support instruction and research.

Privacy and Security
Individual and institutional views of privacy and security sometimes align and sometimes diverge, complicating fair information practices, identity and access management, and cybersecurity.