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.
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University presidents in New Mexico push for new exemptions in state public records law
The changes would exempt documents that identity the applicants for any public-sector job in the state, documents regarding alleged civil rights violations and proprietary university research. The amendment would give law enforcement agencies broader discretion to withhold from the public records that could “interfere with law enforcement proceedings” or constitute an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
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.
Journalism program among cuts at Delta State U.
More than 80 students and faculty gathered in November 2014 to memorialize the loss of three academic programs in the Division of Languages and Literature — communications/theater studies, modern foreign languages and journalism.
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.
Protect students' right to display the American flag despite "hecklers," free-speech icons urge Supreme Court
The plaintiffs in the landmark Tinker student-speech case are asking the Supreme Court to accept, and reverse, a California case finding no First Amendment violation in a school's decision to ban American flag logo apparel that the school claimed might worsen ethnic tensions.
Administrators at Western Illinois U. suspend student editor from student newspaper for selling video of campus riot
The university's vice president for student services said the student reporter violated several sections of the student conduct code, including “committing acts of dishonesty” by representing the newspaper “without the explicit prior consent of the officials of that group.”
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.
Fla. high school principal retires after students said she suppressed their online speech
Lucia Cox announced she had retired from Miami Sunset Senior High School amid allegations she tried to hush students who spoke out about the school’s unsanitary conditions, encroaching on the students’ free speech rights.