Resolution 17-40 A Resolution to Support Strong Net Neutrality Protections

WHEREAS Net Neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not apply discriminatory treatment to Internet traffic,

WHEREAS the Federal Communications Commission passed rules in 2015 to protect Net Neutrality,

WHEREAS Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai has scheduled a vote on December 14th to repeal these protections [1],

WHEREAS ISPs have throttled or blocked content prior to the establishment of the 2015 rules [2,3],

WHEREAS an unrestricted and open Internet is essential for scholarly open access [4],

WHEREAS an unrestricted and open Internet is essential for student entrepreneurship [5],

WHEREAS an Internet without Net Neutrality puts smaller academic institutions and startup companies at a disadvantage,

LET IT THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that AGS strongly opposes the weakening of Net Neutrality protections.

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that AGS shall advocate for the University's continued commitment to an open Internet.

[1] https://www.fcc.gov/restoring-internet-freedom

[2] https://mobile.twitter.com/WashPostEcon/status/459716806702546944

[3] https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/07/verizon-accused-of-net-neutrality-foul-by-zero-rating-its-go90-mobile-video-service/

[4] http://blogs.plos.org/plos/2017/07/net-neutrality-global-access/

[5] http://www.engine.is/startups-for-net-neutrality

Attachment: Citations 1-5.pdf

FINAL VOTE: Pass 

YEA: 26 

NAY: 0  

ABS: 1