YouTube unblocked on BYU campus

PROVO, Utah — Phil

Schwartz was pleasantly surprised Friday morning when he was able to

access the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube on his laptop on the

BYU campus.

\"We are college students now,\" said Schwartz, a Chinese major from Martinez, Calif. \"We can judge for ourselves.\"

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the site was unblocked Friday

morning following a recent administration-level review of the policy to

block the site on campus.

\"Given the educational information and materials available, the

university determined to make the service available,\" Jenkins said.

YouTube allows users to upload videos of all types for public

viewing, as long as the material isn't defamatory, pornographic or in

violation of copyright. Citing concerns with questionable content as

well as bandwidth issues, BYU blocked YouTube on campus almost from

site's inception in late 2005.

While many students view YouTube as a classic Internet time-waster,

some students and faculty members say the Web site has content that has

educational value.

\"I remember being in a class in political science and the professor

wanted to show some videos of Barack Obama's campaign,\" Schwartz said.

\"But he couldn't because they were on YouTube.\"

Debbie Harrison, who teaches English and English usage at BYU, was

happy to hear the site had been unblocked. Harrison has been able to

use YouTube for classroom presentations, but only after making

arrangements prior to class.