CR80News | Student privacy rules tackle changes in technology

Thursday, December 18, 2008

New student privacy regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education enable universities to use ID numbers, but not Social Security numbers, in student directories as long as they can’t be used to access education records without another form of authentication, such as a password.

In one proposal, regulators wanted to treat ID numbers like SSNs, but that would have meant expensive retrofitting by many universities and that idea was later scrapped. The Chronicle of Higher Education notes that campus officials still need to make sure that student records, such as grades, aren’t posted just by student ID number.

The new regulations also give schools room to figure out how they can best protect a student’s information.

It’s more a students’ photo identification. It’s an all-in-one solution for campus access, services and events. The Mountaineer Card, the official campus card for West Virginia University, is an essential part of student life, according to The Daily Athenaeum, the university’s official student newspaper.

GPS tracks Chicago area school bus riders

The Palos Heights School District 128 in Chicago is using GPS technology to track its students allowing the district to keep up with the student–when he or she first entered the school bus and when the student exited the district’s care.

FSCJ taps Higher One for student disbursements

Florida State College at Jacksonville has partnered with technology and payment services provider Higher One to help electronically distribute Financial Aid and other refund disbursements to students.

UNT Mean Green student ID cards

The University of North Texas recently placed an order with USFI for 13,000 biodegradable PVC student ID cards for their campus. The Green Student ID Cards are similar to the look and feel of ordinary student ID cards, but are made of earth friendly, biodegradable PVC.

Automated library service exposes student and faculty personal data

The College Center for Library Automation in Tallahassee sent out notices about a software upgrade that may have left about 30,000 students, faculty and staff Social Security numbers and other private data vulnerable for theft, according to a local news article.

Mandatory meal plan spurs student lawsuit

Three Auburn University students aren’t thrilled with the school’s mandatory meal plan. They’re so “not thrilled” that they’ve filed suit against the university, claiming the plan violates restraint of trade and Alabama law.

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Student privacy rules tackle changes in technology