Getting Prof to Remove Web Post of Student's
Poor Work May be as Simple as Asking

Dear CO-STAR:

I'm enrolled in a senior level English course this semester. We have to write a short paper just about every week. Sometimes our professor copies and distributes a paper or two to the whole class to illustrate a point he's trying to make, or as an example. He's also posted a few papers on the class Web site. One of the papers there is mine. And it's not posted for a good reason. It's there as an example of what no to do. My last name is blocked out. But there are enough details (like the class number and date—I'm the only Latonya in my class, maybe in the school) to identify me. I really don't want it up there. Is he allowed to do this? Is there anything I can do to get him to take it down?

Latonya, Junior, Public College or University, Vermont

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Father Doesn't Need to be Informed Before Abortion

Dear CO-STAR:

I just found out that I'm pregnant. I have no idea what I'm going to do—keep it, have an abortion or put it up for adoption. I'm just trying to figure out what my options are. My question is about abortion. If I do decide to have one, do I have to get my boyfriend's (the father) permission? And what about my parents? Do I have get their permission? Or even tell them before I do anything?

Leslie, Sophomore, Private College or University, Colorado

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Dodge Libel Suit by Reporting With Info From Public Documents

Dear CO-STAR:

I'm the news editor at out college's paper. A few days ago the president of our student government association got into some trouble with the law (a bar fight that got way out of hand). Of course we'd like to cover the story in our next issue (we're a weekly paper) but I'm worried about libel. Who knows what the actual facts are? He hasn't even been charged by the police yet, in fact, maybe he won't—this could all go through the campus judicial system. What if we run a story, then he's cleared of all the charges? Can he sue us for libel?

Micah, Junior, Private College or University, Connecticut

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Common Sense Should Prevail in Use of Logos on Campaign Signs

Dear CO-STAR:

I'm running for student senate. One of the issues of my campaign is on-campus dining. I think our school should offer more alternatives, should bring national franchises into the union and elsewhere—like Subway or Pizza Hut. To make my point, I've used some company logos (again things like Pizza Hut, Subway and a few others) on my campaign signs. The guy at Kinko's said I could get in trouble for using the logos without permission. Will I?

Adam, Sophomore, Private College or University, Georgia

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