OSS University Bans

Debates on open source projects banning contributors from specific universities like UMN due to institutional threats or intimidation against students over studies or incidents, with comparisons to Harvard federal scrutiny and other university controversies.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Open Source
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#6445
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Keywords

CS AI US LA HN techcrunch.com JD twitter.com NJ CYA university harvard students student faculty mob accused professor universities academic

Sample Comments

DannoHung Dec 20, 2010 View on HN

Could be a mad-with-power office within the uni that decided to try and intimidate a student. Universities usually have review boards about this sort of thing before actually taking action though.

hn8788 Apr 21, 2021 View on HN

The university reviewed the "study" and said it was acceptable. From the email chain, it looks like they've already complained to the university multiple times, and have apparently been ignored. Banning anyone at the university from contributing seems like the only way to handle it since they can't trust the institution to ensure its students are doing unethical experiments.

dang Apr 14, 2025 View on HN

Related ongoing thread: Federal Government's letter to Harvard demanding changes [pdf] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43684386

goku12 Jul 11, 2025 View on HN

The AI problem isn't going away. But if universities decide to shift its burden and consequences entirely on the students, then the situation will become untenable. We don't know the other side of the argument here. Regardless, it's a serious concern that the university refuses to supply the accused with the evidence (are they trying to emulate the bigtech now?). One thing the universities must recognize is that academic integrity and ethics won't survive as a unilateral poli

23B1 Jun 25, 2023 View on HN

You... think it's lame that an academic institution would focus on protecting their students and professors?

yiyus Apr 22, 2021 View on HN

Why is the university where you put the line? You could as well say every commit coming from Minnesota is radioactive or, why not, from the US.It is unfair to judge a whole university for the behavior of a professor or a department. Although I'm far from having all the details, it looks to me like the university is taking the right measures to solve the problem, which they acknowledge. I would understand your position if they tried to hide this or negated it, but as far as I understood t

dang Apr 14, 2025 View on HN

Related ongoing thread: Harvard's response to federal government letter demanding changes - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43684536

mmcwilliams Jan 10, 2025 View on HN

It's no skin off my back if they're violating it, just clarifying that was what you could be describing. Considering this post is about a student facing expulsion, what you were saying could lead the developers to worse outcomes.

krageon Jul 24, 2018 View on HN

This is not better or worse. It's just as bad. Do you not think universities handle sensitive information?

krageon Apr 22, 2021 View on HN

> No bad actor will ever give you heads-up.Yes, and if you do it without a heads-up as well that makes you a bad actor. This university is a disgrace and that's what the problem is and should remain.