Representatives from the colleges said that releasing the names of accused students could create a chilling effect for reporting sexual assaults, but public access advocates said the public interest outweighs that consequence.
The best-selling author of Missoula is seeking access to files indicating why the state overturned a campus disciplinary board's findings in a high-profile sexual assault case involving a University of Montana athlete. But the state argues that granting Jon Krakauer's request will put the state in violation of federal privacy laws and place $263 million in federal funding at risk.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that school districts must redact and then release family settlement documents, vacating a lower court ruling.
In light of Arne Duncan's announced resignation, here are four times the Education Secretary spoke out about FERPA.
Four bills are pending in Congress to tighten access to student data under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. None of the measures appears to worsen journalists' access to public records from schools and colleges, but none addresses the well-documented misuse of FERPA to conceal campus scandals under the guide of "student privacy."
A Pomona College student was told she could not share any details of the sanctions imposed on the man who sexually assaulted her twice, but the nondisclosure policy has no basis in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or the Clery Act.
Security video footage of a public school should remain classified as an educational record under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Judge Michele Christiansen of the Utah Court of Appeals ruled May 29.
The University of Memphis banned Zeta Phi Beta sorority from campus for three years for code-of-conduct violations including hazing, physical abuse and “conduct dangerous to others.” University records obtained by the Daily Helmsman student newspaper indicate that alumni as well as current students participated in the abuse, which took place at the home of a former… Continue reading U. of Memphis: Names of alumni implicated in hazing are confidential under FERPA
Interest in the identities of Missouri statehouse interns followed news that a state university was conducting a Title IX investigation after two students ended their Senate internships early. Interest increased after House Speaker John Diehl admitted to sexting a 19-year-old intern. He’s not speaker anymore.In response, Missouri legislative officials are citing the federal student privacy… Continue reading Missouri officials claim FERPA to conceal state capitol interns’ identities
The state's appeal of an order granting author Jon Krakauer access to public records about a campus sexual assault case was filed prematurely, the Montana Supreme Court decides. The order means it will be many months before a ruling that clarifies whether FERPA, the federal student privacy law, forbids colleges from disclosing records about disciplinary appeals in rape cases.