President Clinton signed a bill yesterday that, in addition to lowering student interest rates on college loans, could allow the University to release the identity of students who violate the University's Code of Student Conduct.
In the midst of a Congressional term marked by argument, irritation and inaction, the signing is being lauded as a model of bipartisanship.
The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, passed with an overwhelming majority by both houses of Congress last week, contains numerous provisions that will affect the University.
The bill contains campus safety provisions that could change the face of University law enforcement.
Chief among the changes is an amendment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that would allow the University to release the name of any student found responsible for a violation of the Code. That act, which currently precludes the University from releasing the names of any individual involved in a Code case, protects the rights of students found guilty of crimes on campus such as underage drinking, sexual harassment and violent offenses.
Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford said the University could be affected by the changes, but it is too early to tell what those effects will be.
"There will be a fair amount of discussion on this piece of the bill, as well as the alcohol provision," Hartford said.
University Attorney Dan Sharphorn, a member of the Office of the General Counsel, said the office has not yet looked at the act and its amendments to FERPA, so it is too soon to know what changes in University policy - if any - might result from it. But he said a review would commence soon.
"I'm aware of some of the new provisions, but we have not yet had a chance to review the entire bill," Sharphorn said.
The Code of Student Conduct, which is being reviewed this semester, is the University's internal discipline system. Under the Code, students and other members of the University community can resolve conflicts. Its sanctions include educational projects, disciplinary reprimands and expulsion from the University.
The Office of Student Conflict Resolution presides over disputes between students. Students can file complaints under the Code in conjunction with the criminal justice system.
FERPA also prohibits the University from publicly releasing student records under the Freedom of Information Act.
Lew Morrissey, the University's chief FOIA officer, said he could not determine how the act's amendment to FERPA might change the way student records can be released under FOIA.
"It really depends on the impact on FERPA and what the general counsel's office determines is the impact on student records," Morrissey said.
The University cannot release the names of students cited for underage drinking, but the amendments to the FERPA now allow disclosure of this information to parents.
"We've been meeting with students about this provision," Hartford said. "And they don't seem to like it."
Vice President of the national activist group Safety on Campus Daniel Carter said the new allowances will aid not only universities, but students as well.
"Students will have a better feel for who is committing violent crimes on campus," Carter said. "They will be able to make informed decisions about what precautions to take."
But the reduction of student loan interest rates to their lowest rate in 17 years is considered the major accomplishment of the legislation.
''Today with this lowering of the interest rates ... we can really say that every high school graduate in America, regardless of income, can afford to go to college,'' Clinton said during the signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
The rate will drop .8 percent. The interest rates are tied to Treasury Bill rates plus an additional fixed rate. The new rate, 7.43 percent, will be applicable to both Direct Loans - the University's loan program - and federally guaranteed loans.
A typical student graduating from a four-year college would save $700 on a $13,000 debt over 10 years, the White House said. Pell grants, currently capped at $2,300, will also be incrementally increased over the next five years, reaching a maximum of $5,800 in 2003.
But due to bank objections to the new rate, students must consolidate their loans under the new rate before January 31.
Associate Vice President for Government Relations Tom Butts, the University's Washington lobbyist, said last week that he didn't like that provision. But he added that the University will work to inform all students with loans about the deadline so they can benefit from the new rate.
Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Flint), the ranking member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said last week that while many citizens are frustrated with the inaction of Congress, this is "an example of us getting something done."
Clinton echoed Kildee during yesterday's ceremony.
"This is the way America should work. This is the way Congress should work," he said. "Let me just say in the closing days of this congressional session, I hope that there will be similar bipartisan actions on the agenda for public school excellence that I offered eight months ago."
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
10-08-98
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