Join Effort To End Mass Surveillance On CampusApril Glaser Under mass government surveillance, academic freedom and freedom of speech are severely chilled. When the government is monitoring communications, social media activity, and phone calls, students are less likely to organize and be politically active. Thats why we invite university communities across country to organize and raise their voices to join the call to stop the NSAs illegal mass surveillance by writing and signing onto open letters to express deep concern about the effects of NSA spying on campus. Open letters are great ways to make a statement that can be sent to an array of decision makers, politicians, and administrators. Without addressing the letter to anyone, students and faculty can make an open statement about why they oppose mass surveillance and how it is detrimental to a healthy learning community. Its also a fantastic way to collect signatures and email addresses for people that want to join a student digital rights group or start organizing actions to oppose mass government surveillance on campus and learn which faculty members support your efforts. Importantly, these letters should be delivered to your representatives in Congress. When the open letter has amassed a large amount of signatures, call your representative and set up a meeting for a delegation of fellow students to deliver it to your Congress members offices. Consider writing a press release and promoting the occasion! Once we consider the centrality of technology to everything we do, its easy to realize how surveillance interferes with life on campus. These are only some ideas to get you started. Think about your specific campus community and brainstorm ways that mass surveillance stifles academic freedom. How should the letter be structured? This is really up to your group. However, there are some things that you should definitely try to include and some tips that will help make your letter a success: Where should the letter live? You can host it on your own site and embed a form to collect signatures. Alternatively, you can use a petition site, like change.org or www.thepetitionsite.com to host your letter. If youre interested in making a free page on www.studentsagainstsurveillance.com, email April for more information. Also, consider limiting the signatories to email addresses from your college or university (.edu). Outreach! Youll have to send some emails and let people know what you are up to. Set a goal, and once the minimum is reached, start thinking about who will receive a copy of the letter. Feel free to email EFF for tips. If youd like to organize a letter from your campus, be sure to let EFF know! Email april@eff.org to keep us posted. 