Access to E-Mail Is a Matter of Trust

* Once again UC Irvine is involved in controversy (“Should E-Mail Be Private?” Nov. 12). An individual’s e-mail privacy is certainly not unique to this university.

But what is at issue here is the notion of trust. The comments made by [Terry] Colvin [a spokesman for the UC system] and [William] Parker [associate executive vice chancellor and director of academic computing] indicate to me a clear lack of trust in [Irene] Wechselberg [a UC Irvine librarian], or any university employee.

As a public institution, the administrators at UCI need to consider employee rights and who has access to computer equipment. To imply as Parker did that university employees make personal calls that are three hours long is unfounded.

With the technology that is available now, administrators can distribute separate e-mail accounts, one for personal messages, another for business only. Employees must make the distinction as to where they want mail sent.

I feel employers should have access to e-mail accounts which involve business matters. They should not risk compromising trust.

GREGORY T. WALTERS

Santa Ana