The North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled University of North Carolina must hand over student, faculty, and staff rape, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct records requested by the university's student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel.
Tag: FERPA
Countering COVID-related FERPA objections
Many times administrators cite FERPA as a reason to restrict access to information which the public is entitled to receive. During the pandemic, we see FERPA being used inappropriately to deny important information to student media. SPLC has developed the letter below for you to download and send (or give) to administrators when they misapply FERPA… Continue reading Countering COVID-related FERPA objections
Connecticut schools can’t claim employee misconduct records are FERPA protected, FOI commission rules
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, an administrative agency that enforces open record laws, unanimously decided on Feb. 13 that schools cannot withhold educator misconduct records on the grounds of protecting student privacy. The ruling clarifies that public schools can't withhold an entire employee misconduct document because it contains identifying information about a student —… Continue reading Connecticut schools can’t claim employee misconduct records are FERPA protected, FOI commission rules
When schools misused privacy laws, these student journalists fought back
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FERPA is a hassle. Schools constantly misuse it. Student journalists are consistently frustrated by it. So we spoke to four current and former student journalists about how they fought their school on FERPA misuse, and how you can too. Transcript: Joe Severino: When student journalists want to dig deeper into what’s happening behind the scenes… Continue reading When schools misused privacy laws, these student journalists fought back
How student journalists fought FERPA, and how you can too
If you’ve ever requested documents from your school through open records law and been denied or had substantial information redacted, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. This privacy law is a common barrier for student journalists looking to dig deeper into what’s happening at their… Continue reading How student journalists fought FERPA, and how you can too
Does FERPA prevent me from reporting on a fight between students at my school?
Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Does FERPA prevent me from reporting on a fight that took place on my campus between two students? A: No. FERPA punishes schools that have a policy or practice of disclosing a student's education records without the… Continue reading Does FERPA prevent me from reporting on a fight between students at my school?
Open-government advocates defend public’s right of access to campus disciplinary cases involving violent crimes
Editor's Note: The Student Press Law Center signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida. This story was originally published by the Brechner Center. Read or download the full brief. Public universities should release records showing how they punish students found liable for committing serious… Continue reading Open-government advocates defend public’s right of access to campus disciplinary cases involving violent crimes
In a win for transparency, Pennsylvania court orders release of school bus surveillance video
Editor's Note: The Student Press Law Center signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida arguing for greater transparency in public schools and against overly broad usage of FERPA to block what should be public information. The following is an excerpt from a story by the… Continue reading In a win for transparency, Pennsylvania court orders release of school bus surveillance video
Between unclear state policies and privacy laws, finding concussion data can be a headache for reporters
School officials often deny requests for generalized concussion data, incorrectly citing privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Sometimes concussion information isn't being tracked in the first place.
Open-government groups support public access to school surveillance videos
Newsworthy video from school surveillance cameras can’t be withheld from the public on the grounds of student privacy (FERPA), a group of open-government groups argues in a brief filed with a Pennsylvania appeals court.