After college secrecy inquiry, other newspapers also seek answers

College sports programs across the country are facing media scrutiny after a Columbus Dispatch report last month revealed inconsistent interpretations of the secrecy provisions in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The Salt Lake Tribune contrasted the secretive practices of the University of Utah with the openness of Utah State University. University of Nevada athletic director Cary Groth told the Reno Gazette-Journal that FERPA should be updated to give schools more direction. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that the University of Kentucky planned to review its policy of withholding the names of people who receive free football tickets from players. And the Evansville Courier & Press said the University of Southern Indiana could be more open with athletic program information than it is.

Meanwhile, the Dispatch has continued its reporting on FERPA with the story of University of Kansas student Jason Wren, who died of alcohol poisoning after the school used FERPA to keep details of a previous alcohol-related incident secret from his parents.