"The Education Department sent a message to colleges and universities nationwide Thursday: any that use data released this year by a massive student voting study risk being labeled violators of a federal law protecting student privacy, and suffering financial consequences for it. The move-and the department's new investigations into the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement-could impact college student participation in this year's midterm elections."
"Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that "American colleges and universities should be focused on teaching, learning, and research-not influencing elections." In a letter to institutions Thursday, Frank E. Miller Jr., director of ED's Student Privacy Policy Office, wrote that "there are a number of enforcement options available to the Department when" a higher ed institution "is not in voluntary compliance with FERPA," the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Miller said those include "withholding further payments, issuing a cease-and-desist order, and recovering funds.""
The Education Department warned colleges and universities that using data released this year by a national student voting study could violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and lead to enforcement actions. The department opened investigations into the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement, Tufts University, and the National Student Clearinghouse, and advised institutions to wait to use any reports or data until those investigations conclude. The department cited possible enforcement options such as withholding payments, issuing cease-and-desist orders, and recovering funds. The study provides voter registration and turnout rates to over 1,000 colleges and universities and claims to be an objective measure of student voting.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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