Canadian University Bans Wi-Fi

> Hi All,
>
> Saw the following article in an Australian daily newpaper, thought I'd
> pass it on. Perhaps we should all email our support to the
> Universities President, who is fighting to minimise Wi-Fi despite the
> student union who want Wi-Fi. The presidents email address is:
> [hidden email] , should you wish to contact the student
> union spokesman (Adam Krupper) quoted in the article as supporting
> Wi-Fi, his email address is [hidden email]
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris
>
> Articles follows:-
>
>
> Health fears halt Wi-Fi rollout
> February 24, 2006 - 9:57AM
> The Age Newspaper, Melbourne, Australia.
> http://www.theage.com.au/news/breaking/health-fears-halt-wifi-rollout/ 
> 2006/02/24/1140670234956.html#
>
> A small Canadian university has ruled out campus-wide wireless
> Internet access because its president fears the system's
> electromagnetic forces could pose a risk to students' health.
>
> Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, has only a limited Wi-Fi
> connections at present, in places where there is no fiber-optic
> Internet connection. And that, according to president Fred Gilbert, is
> just fine.
>
> "The jury is still out on the impact that electromagnetic forces have
> on human physiology," Gilbert told a university meeting last month,
> insisting that university policy would not change while he remained
> president.
>
> "Some studies have indicated that there are links to carcinogenetic
> occurrences in animals, including humans, that are related to energy
> fields associated with wireless hotspots, whether those hotspots are
> transmissions lines, whether they're outlets, plasma screens, or
> microwave ovens that leak."
>
> Lakehead University published a transcript of Gilbert's remarks on its
> Web site. Spokeswoman Eleanor Abaya said the decision not to expand
> the university's few isolated wireless networks was a "personal
> decision" by Gilbert.
>
> But the president's stance has prompted a backlash from students and
> from Canadian health authorities, who say his fears are overdone.
>
> "If you look at the body of science, we're confident that there is no
> demonstrable health effect or effects from wireless technology," said
> Robert Bradley, director of consumer and clinical radiation protection
> at Canada's federal health department.
>
> He said there was no reason to believe that properly installed
> wireless networks pose a health hazard to computer users.
>
> Adam Krupper, president of the Lakehead students' union, estimated
> about 1,000 of the school's 7,500 students have laptops that could
> pick up a wireless signal, and he said students "really, really" want
> Wi-Fi on campus.
>
> "Considering this is a university known for its great use of
> technology, it's kind of bad that we can't get Wi-Fi," he said.
>
> Gilbert is a former vice-provost of Colorado State University who
> holds degrees in biology and zoology. He was previously a zoology
> professor.
>
> Reuters
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