Date of Award

Winter 2019

Rights

Access is available to all users

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS) in Communications

Department

Communication Studies

Abstract

This research project examines export control policy in the United States, mainly the 1976 Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as it relates to research practices in higher education. The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the current export control regulations, examine the importance of academic freedom in higher education, illustrate Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) growing research potential, and offer guidance for if or when EWU engages in export control related practices. In support of these goals, EWU’s 2018-2023 strategic plan, international student population, strength of STEM programming, the faculty values statement, and current export control policy were reviewed. The research concludes with the following recommendations for EWU: that the institution (1) strengthen its already-in-place reactionary stance (its current export control policy) for complying with current export control regulations, and (2) implement safeguards to protect and promote academic freedom, and question the ethicality of policies that provide access to knowledge for some groups of people while restricting that access to others.

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