Clearer student-privacy rules urged

Jennifer Knight

Thursday, April 11, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

Two legislators want to pick up where the state Board of Regents left off and institute clearer and more stringent privacy protection for students.

Regents passed a policy in March mandating that universities and community colleges more prominently display students' rights to opt out of having their address, phone number and other private information released to the public.

Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, and Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, say the existing policy is not strong enough. They are joining the American Civil Liberties Union in pushing for an "opt-in" system instead.

The two lawmakers will meet with Jane Nichols, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, next week to discuss the details. The opt-in system would protect students' private information while allowing students to choose where they want their information to go, Townsend said.

"I think we owe it to all of the people, whether they are an 18-year-old freshman or a 50-year-old returning student, to protect their information unless they choose not to do so," Townsend said.

While interest in the issue has died down in Southern Nevada, it peaked this month in the northern part of the state after the University of Nevada, Reno sent letters warning students that if they opt out of having their information released, they would not have their names listed in graduation programs or be considered for certain honorary societies or scholarship programs.

"That really upset a lot of people," Leslie said.

System officials have since backed down, saying that students would be able to have their names released for publication in student graduation programs. Leslie said that clarification still does not address scholarship offerings and honorary programs, though.

Nichols said last week that more time is needed before the policy would be implemented. If more tweaking is necessary, regents might revisit the issue.

"I think that when we implement a policy it takes time to get all the bugs out," Nichols said. "I think we have done everything we can to make it possible for students to be in control of their information."

One of the problems with implementing a modified opt-in system, system officials say, is that their computers can't handle sifting through such specific information.

Gary Peck, executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, scoffed at that explanation.

"Oh, come on," Peck said. "That doesn't even pass the giggle test."

Peck said the ACLU is keeping on top of the issue of student privacy and will work with legislators to see it through.

"This debate is a worthy one and we will certainly work with the Legislature in debating this issue if they choose to do that," Nichols said.