  We present a model and process independent study of the contributions from
non-Standard Model physics to the oblique parameters S, T and U. We show that
within an effective lagrangian parameterization the expressions for the oblique
parameters in terms of observables are consistent, while those in terms of the
vector-boson vacuum polarization tensors are ambiguous. We obtain the
constraints on the scale of new physics derived from current data on S, T and U
and note that deviations in U from its Standard Model value would favor a
scenario where the underlying physics does not decouple.
