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
Tag: FERPA Facts
Nothing “private” about this high-profile walkout by Minnesota athletes
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
How bullies get punished isn’t the public’s business: School districts pretty much everywhere
A viral social-media image shows how bullies in a Nebraska high school crammed a 16-year-old hearing-impaired classmate’s books into the toilet, a despicable act that provoked an outpouring of crowd-funded financial support to replace the teen’s damaged property. The Omaha Public School District confirms that multiple students were punished for the attack – but won’t… Continue reading How bullies get punished isn’t the public’s business: School districts pretty much everywhere
What/where/when of sexual assaults is a FERPA secret, Illinois college claims
Naperville’s North Central College, located in an affluent suburb just west of Chicago, acknowledges receiving reports of 10 sexual assaults over the most recent available three-year period. But that’s all they’ll acknowledge.The circumstances of each case – even the locations, dates and times – are a closely guarded secret because, Dean of Student Kimberly Sluis… Continue reading What/where/when of sexual assaults is a FERPA secret, Illinois college claims
A FERPA Fact double header: Do privacy laws really make it illegal to warn the campus about rapes?
A college in Minnesota and a high school in Georgia are both facing uncomfortable questions about why they delayed notifying the public about reported sexual assaults on campus. Their responses: FERPA made me do it.In Minnesota, Gustavus Adolphus College sent a campus-wide email alerting the public to a sexual assault – nearly two weeks after… Continue reading A FERPA Fact double header: Do privacy laws really make it illegal to warn the campus about rapes?
Yale: We can’t comment on former basketball player who either expelled or withdrew
The Yale Daily News is reporting (through a confidential source) that former men’s basketball captain Jack Montague was expelled for sexual misconduct last month. The university has not confirmed that. The Daily News writes:The University has refrained from commenting on Montague and his status, as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits educational institutions from sharing… Continue reading Yale: We can’t comment on former basketball player who either expelled or withdrew
University of Kansas: hazing is protected by FERPA, but discipline isn’t
University of Kansas officials have placed two fraternities on probation for hazing in the last academic year, but won’t disclose what the hazing entailed. Delta Tau Delta is accused of engaging in hazing in the fall; Phi Beta Sigma, in the spring. Documents given to reporters disclose the punishments (including being barred from candidate intake… Continue reading University of Kansas: hazing is protected by FERPA, but discipline isn’t
What [BLANK] told [BLANK] about [BLANK] is a protected FERPA secret, says [BLANK] lawyer for North Dakota university
Lynn Dorn is no longer athletic director at North Dakota State University. That much is known. What she did to deserve a two-week suspension that preceded her departure may never be known, because NDSU’s counsel heavily redacted the evidence of a harassment investigation – striking out not just student names but entire portions of the… Continue reading What [BLANK] told [BLANK] about [BLANK] is a protected FERPA secret, says [BLANK] lawyer for North Dakota university
UVa president: Number of people kicked out of school for rape is a confidential education record. No, seriously, that’s what she said.
After a searing report from the Department of Education documenting the University of Virginia’s repeated failures to effectively respond to reports of sexual assault by students, the Washington Post asked UVa President Teresa Sullivan whether anyone had been expelled from the university for rape during the past year. Yes, Sullivan told the Post, but “she declined… Continue reading UVa president: Number of people kicked out of school for rape is a confidential education record. No, seriously, that’s what she said.
Hello, I had a question about FERPA. I transferred from a college where I owed a debt, and now I’m unable to get my transcripts. I am sending in the FERPA form, however, I also read that after submitting the FERPA form, I can use the FOIA to help further? I’m not entirely sure what most of this is, and what I should do, exactly. Any response is greatly appreciated.
Hmm, never heard of a student using FOIA to obtain her own transcripts before. If anyone ELSE (other than you) made the request, state FOIA law would allow the university to deny the request on privacy grounds. Since it’s your own transcript, obviously that does not apply, so there doesn’t seem to be any good… Continue reading Hello, I had a question about FERPA. I transferred from a college where I owed a debt, and now I’m unable to get my transcripts. I am sending in the FERPA form, however, I also read that after submitting the FERPA form, I can use the FOIA to help further? I’m not entirely sure what most of this is, and what I should do, exactly. Any response is greatly appreciated.