Latest news with #FamilyEducationRightsandPrivacyAct
Boston Globe
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Hillsdale College refuses federal funding. It makes me a better teacher.
Advertisement This bold idea need not be a mere thought experiment. It's a part of my reality, as a guy who works at a college that refuses federal largesse; it's a denial that delivers a blessing. It protects me and my colleagues from bossy bureaucrats and makes me a better teacher. Hillsdale College was founded by Free Will Baptists in Michigan in 1844. Its Advertisement The graduates of Hillsdale College include In 1975, Hillsdale College received a letter from the federal government, as did Harvard and every other college and university in the United States, ordering it to sign a document to say it complied with affirmative-action regulations, and then to provide data on the race and ethnicity of its students and employees. Hillsdale declined, on the grounds that it never had discriminated, as well as to defend the principle that even a federal government with good intentions has no business meddling in its affairs. A years-long legal battle ended when the Supreme Court said that recipients of federal aid must comply with federal dictates, including schools that merely enroll students who take federal loans and veterans who seek to use GI Bill benefits. Once again, Hillsdale College Advertisement Rather than imposing hardship, this principled position has created opportunity. Hillsdale College can focus on providing a high-quality liberal arts education, rather than mustering an army of compliance officers who fuss over federal directives. One of these directives is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which has led regulators to insist that professors can't talk to the parents of their students about classroom performance. It doesn't matter if mom and dad pay the tuition. This rule intends to protect student privacy, and there's something to be said for treating college students as adults rather than as wards. Yet FERPA bans a valuable form of communication. I've learned this firsthand because of Parents Weekend, which Hillsdale College holds every semester. Its main event is a chance for parents to have one-on-one meetings with the professors who teach their children. Other colleges and universities also have Parents Weekend, but without this element. During these conversations, I give out syllabi and describe the objectives of my courses. I trade information about academic interests, career ambitions, and more. I've heard about mental health challenges and other personal struggles. On multiple occasions, based on what parents have said, I've helped students find internships and jobs. The bottom line is that Parents Weekend allows an exchange that makes me better at what I'm charged to do. And I get to do it because Hillsdale College can ignore federal regulations. Another reward of resistance is that millions of Americans have resolved to support Hillsdale College's freedom, and they've helped the college build an endowment of about $900 million. That's a fraction of Harvard's treasure chest, but also the envy of many other liberal arts colleges, which have come to fear that they can't function without government subsidies. Advertisement It turns out that sometimes the right choice is to declare independence.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Paso school board member Kenney Enney defends boycotting class over trans policies
On April 21, 2025, the headline on a letter to the editor from H. K. Davie of Templeton asked the question: 'Are Moms for Liberty breaking the law if they keep SLO County students home?' The simple answer is no, primarily because they are not behind the proposed grassroots school boycott. But to play along, let's say that boycotting schools is breaking the law. Opinion Civil disobedience has been a time-honored tradition in our republic since its founding, whether it was the Sons of Liberty tossing tea into Boston Harbor or civil rights marchers fighting against segregationists by sitting at 'whites only' lunch counters. Whether it's refusing to sit in the back of the bus or boycotting schools, breaking the law for what is good, right and true is sometimes necessary. Leftists usually celebrate boycotts and sickouts. I don't recall any objections in San Luis Obispo County about breaking the law when left-wing teachers organized sickouts to oppose immigration policies or spending cuts. Why is it that H. K. Davie and leftists are now so concerned about a sickout in support of protecting girls' rights under Title IX? I don't recall any outrage over the fact that California has openly violated federal immigration laws for almost 10 years. Yet when parents and students protest the fact that their civil rights are being violated, the left is suddenly concerned? Article VI clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution states: 'This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.' When state law and federal law are in conflict, federal law is supreme. California laws allowing boys in girls' spaces or permitting boys to compete in girls' sporting events is in conflict with federal law (Title IX) and President Trumps' executive order regarding the protection of girls' private spaces and sports. California laws allowing school officials to lie to parents regarding the health and welfare of their children is a violation of parents' rights under Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Fourteenth Amendment. The fact that officials in Sacramento and school districts in San Luis Obispo County refuse to abide by their oaths of office and protect the civil rights of those girls attending the public schools of this county has created this situation. Brave young ladies like Celeste Duyst at Arroyo Grande High School are speaking out and 70% of Californians polled agree that Celeste's rights and the rights of tens of thousands of girls throughout the state are being violated. If leftists are concerned about violating the law, then I recommend they contact their school board trustees and demand that they abide by President Trump's Executive Orders and all aspects of Title IX. Kenney Enney, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, represents trustee area 7 on the Paso Robles school board.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three UL students' visas have been revoked
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL) has released a statement confirming that three international students had their visas revoked. The three students along with 13 other international students attending university in Louisiana had their permission to attend school in the United States revoked by the Trump Administration as reported by the Louisiana Illuminator. Family says elderly loved one released from ICE custody According to the New Orleans newspaper, they spoke with several university representatives who confirmed the visas revocations. Some of these representatives have claimed they were were not given a reason for these revocations and could not disclose any further information citing the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. While other university representatives, like Mike Strecker of Tulane University, have claimed two international students had their visas terminated 'based on alleged prior criminal arrests unrelated to any protest activity.' KLFY 10 spoke to UL about the visa revocations where they have confirmed the termination of the three visas but will not provide further information due to privacy reasons. Hundreds of students, dozens of colleges hit by visa purge: What to know Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Latest news Fed chair sounds alarm about tariffs Bedroom storage solutions that organize your space Ninja's limited-edition pink air fryer is in high demand Three UL students' visas have been revoked Md. senator seeks return of wrongly deported man Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 260 Texas international students had visas revoked, legal status changed
As part of the Trump administration's effort to remove international students from the U.S. who have participated in pro-Palestinian activism or have had criminal offenses, the federal government has revoked visas or terminated legal statuses for more than 1,000 students across the country, including hundreds in Texas. Students in some cases have been given no reason for the change in their status or have had their visas terminated for minor infractions such as parking tickets or disputes with roommates, according to media reports. Some have sued the federal government over the lack of due process, while others have self-deported out of fear. Here's what is happening in Texas: More than 260 Texas higher education students have had their visas revoked or legal status changed as of Tuesday, an American-Statesman analysis shows. Students can sometimes extend their visas to work in the U.S. after their studies for short periods. This means that recent alumni on student visas have reportedly also been affected. More: More than 170 international students at UT System schools have had visas revoked: officials Universities are limited in the information they can share under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, but in some cases they've shared specific numbers. The breakdown of known students who have had their legal immigration status changed is as follows: University of Texas System — 176, Randa Safady, vice chancellor for communications, confirmed Monday. Safady declined to break down the numbers for the system's specific institutions. UT-Dallas, which has the second-highest percentage of international students in the state behind Rice University, recorded 19 visas revocations, according to the Texas Tribune, which also reported that UT-Arlington had 27 students affected. UT-Austin confirmed that "multiple" students had visa changes but would not confirm specific numbers. Texas A&M System — 38, Jim Suydam spokesperson for the system, confirmed Monday. Texas A&M: 23 Texas A&M University Kingsville: 9 Texas A&M University Corpus Christi: 3 Prairie View A&M University: 1 Texas A&M University Texarkana: 1 Texas A&M International University: 1 Texas State University System — 10 people, spokesperson Mike Wintemute confirmed Tuesday. Lamar University: 5 Sam Houston State University: 3 Texas State University: 2 Texas Tech University System - at least three, the system confirmed Tuesday Last week, Texas Tech University said three students had their visas revoked, spokesperson Kristina Woods Butler confirmed to the American-Statesman. Although she declined to provide the system's updated numbers, she said that "we are committed to supporting our students to the extent permitted by law to help them navigate the disruption in their academic journeys." University of North Texas System — 30, according to a spokesperson Tuesday. UNT System spokesperson Devynn Case said the most recent data showed nine undergraduate and 21 graduate students had their visas terminated. University of Houston — a "small number," the system told the Statesman. "Since March 25, a small number of our international students have been impacted by SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations and/or visa revocations," spokesperson Shawn Lindsey said in a statement, declining to share specific numbers. "Our practice is to notify these students directly of these changes." Texas Woman's University — Six at its flagship campus, according to the Texas Tribune. Texas Woman's University System did not respond to a Statesman request for the information by Tuesday afternoon. Rice University — Five people, according to the Houston Chronicle. International students are accepted by U.S. institutions, which then submit a form, typically an I-20, to the federal government, which then issues a visa that asserts their right to enter and stay in the country, Faye Kolly, an immigration attorney in Austin, told the Statesman. David Donatti, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement that students are being notified of their legal status decisions without due process to correct or address alleged violations. "The federal government didn't simply revoke student visas, which would limit travel in and out of the country but took the more severe step of altering students' legal statuses," Donatti said. "Interrupting their academic and professional pursuits mid-stream and exposing them to arrest, detention, and deportation, often just weeks before the end of term and graduation ceremonies is cruel." It also means international students will likely be more averse to studying in the United States, hurting universities' ability to recruit the best talent and drive innovation, Kolly said. Some students have appealed their legal status changes. Kolly said, however, that students may preemptively self-deport due to the "climate of fear" around what will happen if they do not leave. In some cases, students were reportedly told to self-deport, according to USA Today. ICYMI: Trump administration revokes 15 TAMU student visas, UT students protest new crackdown The Trump administration threatened to deport international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests during his 2024 presidential campaign and quickly acted on such promises. In late March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his office was working "every day" to deport "lunatics," and pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University and Tufts University were detained and had their visas revoked. But there have been two more "waves" of visa revocations that don't appear to involve activism. One, Kolly described, seemed to target students with any criminal record, including parking tickets. The other seemed to be more random and nonspecific, she said, referring to vague violations of their visa status. Universities can see if a student's status has changed by checking the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System maintained by the designated school official and by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services. Kolly said students who face visa changes have received an email from the State Department alerting them to a change of status and the reason for the change. Kolly said it's important that students who receive such an email contact their university to understand the implications, as a visa and status are connected, but they are two different things. "Visas are the stamps that are issued in passports, and they're only issued by U.S. consulates abroad," Kolly said. "What seems to be happening (is) the status is being terminated and the visa is being revoked, but you have to look at each case separately." If a visa is revoked, students should contact their university, save all their academic and immigration forms, and find a lawyer, Kolly said. In some cases, the university can resubmit a form for a student to seek to reestablish their legal status or a lawyer can fight the federal government's decision, she said. Some students have filed class action lawsuits, Kolly said. Nineteen state attorney generals have sued the federal government over its actions, seeking an injunction to temporarily block the administration from canceling student visas. International students are coveted by universities who seek world-class talent in their student bodies to drive innovation, cultural diversity and excellence. These students pay full tuition and are not eligible for financial or state aid. They are estimated to contribute about $2 billion to the Texas economy alone, according to the Higher Education Immigration Portal. Texas has more than 80,000 international students, making the number affected by the visa revocations a small percentage. But the fear of what will come next is strong and extends beyond immigrant students, Kolly said. Even U.S. citizens are calling her office to ask if they should travel, she said. "The impacts are going to be long term and ultimately devastating as we continue on this path," said Kolly, adding that it will affect trust in the immigration system for lawful immigrants who come to the United States. "My fear is that the damage is already done." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Trump revokes visas, changes status for more than 260 Texas students
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah law would hide direct payments to college athletes from public view
Public university finances, including salaries, revenues and expenditures, are generally public records. But a proposed law in Utah would hide direct payments made to college athletes from public view. Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, is sponsoring legislation that would allow Utah universities to directly pay college athletes for the use of their name, image and likeness. HB449 initially made those NIL payments public records subject to the state's Government Records Access and Management Act or GRAMA. But he stripped that provision from a new version of the bill, which passed out of the House Education Committee and awaits a vote on the House floor. Tuescher didn't discuss changes to the bill in the committee hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. In an earlier interview, Teuscher told the Deseret News that direct payments would be treated the same as other university disbursements that are a matter of public record. He said after the meeting Tuesday that he changed the bill because universities maintain the payments would be protected under the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. In addition to setting the stage for direct compensation, HB449 also expressly states that college athletes are not university employees, whose salaries are typically open records at public schools. Jason Greco, University of Utah senior associate athletics director for compliance, expressed support for the bill at the committee meeting. But the school's athletics department declined to comment for this story. Longtime Salt Lake City media attorney Jeff Hunt said GRAMA should apply to direct compensation. 'Payments made by public universities to student-athletes should be treated like any other disbursements made by the institution, including being subject to open records laws. That requirement was in the original version of this bill, and got it right,' he said. 'Without transparency, the public will have no idea how this money is being spent or whether universities are providing female student-athletes equitable participation opportunities as required under Title IX.' Just days before President Joe Biden left office, a nine-page memo from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights defined NIL payments as financial aid that must be proportionate between men and women. 'When a school provides athletic financial assistance in forms other than scholarships or grants, including compensation for the use of a student-athlete's NIL, such assistance also must be made proportionately available to male and female athletes,' according to the memo. The Trump administration, however, revoked that guidance this month, saying 'the claim that Title IX forces schools and colleges to distribute student-athlete revenues proportionately based on gender equity considerations is sweeping and would require clear legal authority to support it.' Last year, the NCAA and its five major conferences agreed to a landmark $2.8 billion settlement in several antitrust lawsuits that would create a revenue-sharing model for schools to directly pay their athletes. Final approval of the settlement in House v. NCAA could come this spring, paving the way for universities to start paying players in July. Under the new compensation plan, schools would be permitted but not required to set aside up to $20.5 million a year in revenue to share with athletes, though as revenue goes up, so could the cap. Athletes in all sports would be eligible for payments and schools would decide how to distribute the money among the sports on campus. Most Power Four schools are expected to spend $15 to $17 million on their football rosters. 'Certainly, in most states, payments by government agencies to anyone are subject to public records laws, whether faculty, staff or student workers. That wouldn't include private universities, but payments from public universities to student athletes should be available for anyone to see. That is, of course, if the legislatures don't pass an exemption keeping it secret,' Dave Cuillier, director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, told the Deseret News for a story last year. In Utah, the Legislature did change the law to keep NIL contracts secret during litigation between the Deseret News and five public universities in the state. In 2023, the Deseret News sought athletes' NIL agreements submitted to their schools for review, largely as a check against undue influence and in protection of Title IX and women's sports. Utah universities argued that NIL contracts are 'education records' under FERPA, which broadly defines education records as 'records directly related to a student' and 'maintained by an education agency.' The State Records Committee, which resolves disputes over whether government records are public or private, rejected that argument and ordered the release of the contracts. 'Considering the public interest in college sports, the fandom and the immense revenue our public institutions capture from athletics, it's apparent to us that a university compliance officer reviewing these contracts to ensure players' eligibility under the rules is indeed conducting the public's business,' the seven-member panel determined. The schools appealed the ruling in state court where a judge ultimately decided NIL contracts are private records based on the Legislature's change in the law to shield them from public view. In separate legislation, a Utah lawmaker is proposing to scrap the volunteer State Records Committee in favor of a government-appointed lawyer to rule on disagreements over whether government records are public or private.
