April 2, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Ernst (702) 889-8426

Clarification on Issue of Student Privacy

LAS VEGAS-Chancellor Jane Nichols today issued a statement clarifying the Board of Regents' recently adopted policy regarding the disclosure of student information.

I once again state, in no uncertain terms, that the Board of Regents, the University and Community College System of Nevada and our campus presidents are committed to protecting the privacy rights of students.

In March, the Board of Regents approved a new policy that gives our students more control over how their directory information is used. This policy now requires that students must be clearly notified annually of their right to "opt out" of the institution's directory. In the course of implementing these new enhancements to student privacy, we have discovered procedural issues that need to be addressed.

It was never our intention to deny students from being listed in commencement programs or other academic rosters. As with any governing policy, there will be challenges in implementation. Students who will graduate this spring will be listed in commencement programs, regardless of their decision to "opt-out" of the campus directory.

It is my commitment that the UCCSN will develop new methods to prevent further confusion on this issue and that this issue will be resolved before winter commencement in December.

Make no mistake: We are students' rights advocates. We will continue to work diligently to protect our students while retaining their freedom of choice as adults.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 11-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one internationally acclaimed research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to nearly 100,000 students.

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