At 07:00 PM 12/19/98 -0700, you wrote:
>At 02:24 PM 12/18/98 -0500, Paul Karagianis wrote:
>>Understood.  But... all of the below would usually be links in a known
>>chain of command.  We have a server with 650+ lists, the vast majority of
>>which have no affiliation with SJU at all.
>
>I've never understood why SJU or anyone else would run lists that had NO
>connection to the institution in SOME way.  Run by a faculty, staff,
>student, emeritus, etc, or that benefitted some department, discipline,
>etc, of the university.

Hi Dan,
Your comments have given me pause to reflect on the meaning of the educational system as a whole and the valuable service that is being provided by SJU and other universities.  I should preface my remarks by saying that  I feel immensely grateful to SJU and their community sprited attitude, even if they are not consciously supporting the program of lists.

Now, in partial answer to the question why universities should sponsor "public"
lists:

1.  The community sponsors and supports universities.  Without the community
at large, academic institutions cannot exist. (The support from the community exists
in various ways, among which are: recruitment of students, recruitment of
finances from alumni, or government and privately sponsored research grants.)
The university, therefore, ought to repay its obligation to the community and
one of the ways it can accomplish it to make university facilities available to
the public.

2.  Mandate of the university is community education.

3. Students and faculty are often pursuing academic goals which
may not include support.  SJU lists are primarily support  Narrow interests.

4.  A more egalitarian society if those who are not "academic" can
access discussion groups and support groups.

5.  Demonocratization of the net....a truly internantional community.

6.  An option for further research and innovative community interaction.