University reworks

student privacy code
University officials have completed their final version of the revamped student privacy code, which includes updates aimed at bringing the school in line with federal regulations that allow the government to secretly obtain student information.
The code, like earlier versions, allows the publishing of e-mail addresses in the student directory and deems that student requests to block their information from publication will become “effective as soon as is reasonably practicable.”
The only noticeable change in the final version is the controversial section allowing University officials to yield to federal requests and silently hand over student information. In the language, the sentence allowing the compliance does not take effect until Dec. 10, while the rest of the code went into effect last week.
That delay was created to allow the Faculty Senate time to debate the language before it goes into effect, said Randy Geller, director of policy and legal affairs. Late last school year, representatives from ASUO and biology Professor Frank Stahl complained about the lack of input they were allowed in the formation of the updated privacy code.
There may not be much to debate, however. Since the legislation took effect in the mid-1990s, University officials have been obligated to comply with requests allowed by the law, regardless of school code. The University, however, has never been asked to hand over information without notifying the student.

— Jared Paben