New Hampshire could become the next state to prohibit school employees from accessing students’ social media accounts under legislation aimed at protecting students’ online privacy rights.
N.H. bill aims to protect students’ privacy rights online
Author: Mariana Viera
Bill could prevent N.H. high school students from surveying their peers
The bill's author said the rules would also apply to surveys from student reporters because the school serves as publisher and sponsor of the newspaper. He said he hopes schools will tell the newspaper staff they are not allowed to survey students on sensitive topics.
Former Idaho State U. employee, alumni charged $1,235 for public records about university president’s home renovations
A family was charged $1,235 when they requested information about the upkeep and renovation costs of the Idaho State University president’s house. But after a three-week online fundraising campaign, the family raised enough money to cover the bill.
2 newspapers appeal court decision allowing Louisiana State U. to withhold names of some presidential search applicants
Attorneys for two Louisiana newspapers have appealed to the state Supreme Court a lower court’s decision that said the state’s largest public university could withhold the names of most applicants during presidential searches.
Va. committee to study public records exemption for university presidents
Lawmakers in Virginia mothballed a bill Wednesday aimed at closing a public records law exemption that allows university presidents to withhold their work emails and notes.
Miss. bill could allow schools to punish students for off-campus social media posts
The bill would make it a misdemeanor if students post to social media to “intimidate or torment” another student or school employee. The bill would also criminalize statements — even if they are true — that are intended or are likely to provoke a third party to stalk or harass a student or school employee.
Board structure change at U. Connecticut student newspaper creates alumni backlash
The newspaper’s editor said they made the decision after university administrators said The Daily Campus would lose its funding if they kept their previous board structure because a 1940s state law says student organizations that rely on student fees must be entirely student-run.
New Ill. law would not require school districts to monitor students' social media, press association director says
Media outlets cited a 2014 law and misinterpreted the year-old law and a recent amendment to the Illinois school code, said Josh Sharp, the director of government affairs for the Illinois Press Association.
ESPN sues U. of Notre Dame over access to police records
ESPN has filed suit against the University of Notre Dame, alleging the private institution violated Indiana’s public records law when it withheld police incident reports about student athletes.
Loyola U. declines to renew contract with investigative news organization
Through a two-year agreement, the university said it would provide free office space to The Lens, a non-profit investigative news website, if members of the organization provided internship opportunities, worked with students and spoke with journalism classes.