🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Jul23.215931.13522@menudo.uh.edu> sears@tree.egr.uh.edu writes:
>
>
>Today we have a very interesting and sensitive situation arise -- a user  
>passed away and now the user's parents would like access to the user's  
>account.
>

In general, I find it very helpful to draw analogies to conventional
technologies when dealing with computing situations where there is no
standard procedure.  If nothing else, this analogy helps lawyers and
administrators better understand the issues.

Change the details just a little bit... Suppose that you have a file
of papers belonging to the deceased person.  What is your
responsibility in that case?

If I'm not mistaken, someone is designated as the executor of the
person's estate.  Most likely this will be the parents, unless the
student was married or had otherwise designated someone else. The
executor has the legal right/responsibility to retrieve all personal
items and settle all debts.  Collecting papers stored in various
locations, items loaned to others, charge cards, bank papers, ... are
all part of an executor's traditional work.  Within that context,
I'd be inclined to turn over any files to the executor if that
person so requests.



-- 
Leo Geoffrion, Skidmore College Computer Services, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
EMAIL: ldg@scott.skidmore.edu   VOICE: (518) 584-5000 Ext. 2919