Student Press Law Center

STATEMENT OF CONCERN: University of Southern California and the Daily Trojan

September 26, 2018October 23, 2018 Student Press Law Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2018 Contact: Diana Mitsu Klos, director of engagement (202) 728-7267/ dmk@splc.org / @SPLC The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) is concerned about the recent situation wherein an official of the University of Southern California briefly restricted a journalist for the Daily Trojan newspaper from taking notes and reporting on a public forum for students, staff… Continue reading STATEMENT OF CONCERN: University of Southern California and the Daily Trojan

A State-By-State Guide to Covering Student Government Meetings

September 13, 2018October 1, 2018 Student Press Law Center

Note: As most states have never specifically ruled on the applicability of open meetings laws to student government meetings, the following state-by-state analysis represents the Student Press Law Center's best judgment of how a court might decide the issue.

Washington New Voices Act (2018)

August 9, 2018September 6, 2018 Student Press Law Center

In 2018, Washington became the 14th state to sign a law protecting the rights of student journalists.

Rhode Island New Voices Act (2017)

July 11, 2018August 9, 2018 Student Press Law Center

The Student Journalists’ Freedom of Expression Act was introduced on February 16, 2017, and signed into law by Governor Gina Raimondo on July 18, 2017.

Nevada New Voices Act (2017)

July 11, 2018August 9, 2018 Student Press Law Center

The Nevada New Voices legislation was signed into law by Governor Brian Sandoval on June 2, 2017 and became effective on October 1, 2017.

Vermont New Voices Act (2017)

June 22, 2018August 9, 2018 Student Press Law Center

Vermont New Voices legislation was incorporated into House Bill 513, which was signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on May 23, 2017.

Student Press Law Center Names New Executive Director

September 5, 2017November 12, 2018 Student Press Law Center

Hadar Harris, a human rights attorney and non-profit leader with a passion for working with and on behalf of students, will become the next executive director of the Student Press Law Center, effective Sept. 6, 2017.

FERPA Fact, massive head injury edition: College claims athlete concussions stats are confidential

February 5, 2017August 9, 2018 Student Press Law Center

Although comparable colleges released the information without hesitation, East Tennessee State University claims that the number of athletes treated for concussions is a FERPA-protected secret. When the Johnson City Press asked for the number of times football players suffered concussions during practices and games, an ETSU lawyer responded, “The information requested falls into the education record… Continue reading FERPA Fact, massive head injury edition: College claims athlete concussions stats are confidential

What would you report on if you could report on anything?

December 30, 2016October 17, 2018 Student Press Law Center

By Hillary Aerts DeVoss Let me preface this entry by saying this much: My students have never been punished for anything they’ve produced, nor have they been given a list of topics that they can’t cover. That’s what made this exercise so interesting. When I posted the results on Facebook, which I hadn’t originally intended… Continue reading What would you report on if you could report on anything?

Nothing “private” about this high-profile walkout by Minnesota athletes

December 26, 2016August 9, 2018 Student Press Law Center

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers came within hours of becoming the first football team ever to boycott a postseason bowl game in protest of the disciplinary suspensions of 10 teammates. Players criticized the university’s lack of transparency and communication – “under the cover of student privacy,” as a team spokesman put it – in… Continue reading Nothing “private” about this high-profile walkout by Minnesota athletes