I was appalled at the e-mail waiting for me in my mailbox. You know the one — the Napster ban. And although that in itself is angering, I am more upset at another comment made in the notice. The university openly admits that it checks our computers for files.

Excuse me? That is completely ridiculous and even frightening.

When did Penn State get the privilege to get into my computer and find out when and what I'm downloading or the programs I use. The thinly veiled threat in the email — We know who you are, you bad downloaders, you — let all the students know that Penn State is watching them.It is watching what you e-mail, what you download and probably the buddies on your AOL Instant Messenger.

The e-mail said that Penn State will not look into the content of files on our computers. But what's to stop them? If we let them get away with checking downloads, what's to stop them from looking at every single file on my hard drive? It comes to this: Do you believe that Penn State will rest at just checking some files, or even just where they've been and are going? I don't. I don't trust Penn State with that responsibility.

I don't like Penn State invading my privacy not even the littlest bit, and I'm sure many or you out there agree. So take my advice: Write a letter, make a poster, unplug the ethernet cable for awhile, or use free AOL compact discs. Just stay away from the Penn State network, because they're watching.