Navigating Privacy: Laws, Policies, and Guidance

  • Students, faculty and staff expect the University of Minnesota and its representatives to respect individual  privacy whenever possible. 
  • As a public university, the University must comply with state and federal laws — and its own policies — governing what student and employee information is considered public and what is considered private. • Private student data can only be shared internally with University employees with a legitimate interest in the  specific information based on their job responsibilities. Similarly, private employee information can only be  shared internally with University employees whose work responsibilities require it. 
  • All faculty and staff are expected to refrain from contributing to rumors or spreading potential misinformation  that damage reputations and disrupt workplaces/classrooms. Discussions regarding sensitive or private issues  — particularly investigations or complaints — must be handled with the utmost professionalism and  discretion. 
  • Rather than focusing on details of sensitive or private issues — information likely defined by law as private  information — focus on reinforcing University values and providing support to students and colleagues. 

Why can’t University representatives divulge information about many incidents or allegations?

The University, like other public higher education institutions, must follow several Minnesota state statutes and federal  laws that detail what information about a student or employee (i.e., faculty and staff) is public or private. Some of the  more common statutes you will see cited are M.S. 13.32 and FERPA, which govern student data, and M.S. 13.43, which  governs certain employee and volunteer information. 

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (M.S. Chapter 13) and other state and federal laws also classify other  data as private or nonpublic. Failure to comply with these laws can subject the University to loss of federal funds and to  civil lawsuits. Employees that willfully violate these laws are guilty of a misdemeanor and such violations can be just  cause for suspension or dismissal. Additionally, the University has its own policies in place regarding public and private  information. Please see examples of what is public, private and confidential data from the University Policy Library. 

Here are some important questions the University must consider before providing information: 

  • Does the information concern an allegation or complaint against a prospective student, student,  employee/volunteer, or job applicant (whether or not they are currently at the University)?
    • If yes, the data is private data, with limited exceptions when an employee or student is found responsible for  violating University policy at the completion of a full University review and discipline process. 
    • For employees, the existence and status of a complaint may be disclosed (e.g., a complaint was received  and is pending), but the nature of the complaint cannot be disclosed in any way. 
  • Is data suppressed
    • Outside of directory data, all data related to a student is private data, but even directory data on students  cannot be released in connection with allegations of wrongdoing.
  • For data on employees/volunteers, is the information sought personnel data under M.S. 13.43? If so, is it  classified as public personnel data?  
    • All personnel data is presumptively private personnel data unless expressly made public in one of the limited  categories set forth in M.S. 13.43
  • If private data is sought to share internally at the University, does the employee seeking the information need the specific information at issue to perform their job duties? 
    • Examples of certain employees that may need information include certain EOAA staff, certain OGC staff, or  certain University, college, or department leaders and communications staff. Applicable laws require these  determinations be made on a case-by-case basis. The University cannot legally share information with employees  that do not need the information to do their job. 
  • Did the incident take place off campus or is it subject to criminal proceedings
    • While the location of the incident may affect how the University can investigate based on jurisdictional  restrictions, it has little effect on the University’s data privacy obligations. The same considerations for private  data that are cited above apply in either case. 

A student, faculty or staff member is asking me about an incident or allegation. What do I tell them?

It’s important to remember that incidents involving students or those involving alleged misconduct by a student or  employee are complex. When speaking with others, here are some guidelines: 

  • Acknowledge the speaker’s questions or concerns. 
  • If applicable, share information the University has already shared publicly. 
  • Do not speculate or provide information that is protected, could be reasonably expected to be private, or is  hearsay. 
  • Focus on reiterating the University’s and/or your department’s values, as well as providing support and  resources. These can include mental health resources provided from the Office for Student Affairs or the Office of  Human Resources, support from The Aurora Center, ways to contact EOAA, etc. 
  • Let the leadership in your college or unit — as well as your communications leader — know that questions are surfacing so they can determine whether broader communication within the necessary legal parameters is necessary. 

What if it is an emergency situation and there is a need to communicate an incident? 

There are limited exceptions that apply to circumstances when the health or safety of students or employees is under  imminent threat of harm. These are circumstances where the first call should be to 9-1-1. 

Should leadership in my college or unit communicate broadly about an incident or allegation to students, faculty and  staff? 

Depending on the incident, there may be a need or an opportunity to communicate formally with individuals within a  specific college or unit. If this is something leadership is considering, and they have not already been in contact with  University Relations, please reach out to the following individuals for guidance: 

Related Resources

Tools

Guidelines