Re: Case Studies

From: Nancy H. Marshall <nhmars[_at_]mail.wm.edu>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 1994 17:21:47 -0500

Ina P. Schiff writes the following:

>On a related issue, the U.S. Department of Education has interpreted
>FERPA as prohibiting universities and instructors from
>making theses, papers, and dissertations available in libraries without
>the consent of the student author.

Soon after the U.S.DOE issued this opinion in one response to an enquiry from one individual, it was challenged by several individuals and organizations, including the American Library Association. The DOE administrator (name forgotten) who issued the opinion very quickly indicated that FERPA should not be interpreted to prohibit libraries from making theses, papers, and dissertations available without the consent of the student author, and, therefore, the current practices of libraries in this regard need not change.

Wide discusion on this topic was held on this list, with the ALA Washington Office posting the official reponse from the DOE.  

Nancy H. Marshall                               Voice:  804-221-3055
Dean of University Libraries                    Fax:    804-221-3088
Earl Gregg Swem Library                         E-mail: nhmars[_at_]mail.wm.edu

College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8794 Received on Sun Feb 13 1994 - 22:35:48 GMT