University of Central Florida: Fraternity discipline records protected by FERPA

Responding to a public records lawsuit filed earlier this year, the University of Central Florida told a judge this week the school cannot provide student journalists unredacted records relating to Greek fraternities’ disciplinary hearings because the records are protected under a federal education privacy law.

Florida state trooper responsible for University of North Florida newspaper theft

Last month, we reported on the theft of thousands of newspapers at the University of North Florida. At the time, editors and police hadn't yet determined who was responsible for the theft, some of which was captured on surveillance video.Now, the paper has learned that a state trooper with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has admitted responsibility for at least some the thefts. According to reports in The Spinnaker, UNF police recognized one of the two men in the video as a highway patrol officer, and contacted Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida court reverses opinion on FERPA case involving confidentiality of student complaint against professor

A Florida appeals court has reversed its opinion in a student privacy case, ruling last month that the college does not have to disclose to a professor the name of a student who sent an email complaining of his classroom behavior and teaching methods.

Newly hired Famuan editor wants to repair relationship between paper and students

The newly hired editor of The Famuan at Florida A&M University said Thursday afternoon that she hopes to improve the relationship between students and the newspaper during her term, which will kick off officially next week when the paper begins printing after a two-week suspension by the school's journalism dean.The school hasn't made a formal announcement yet, but senior Angie Meus confirmed the news and said she was in the process of hiring the rest of her staff.Meus applied for the position after Dean Ann Kimbrough reopened the application process, forcing current editors to reapply for their positions and inviting others to apply as well.