Hey guys! Has anyone else ever wondered about how colleges manage providing student information to military recruiters? I really don't know how it works, any insights?
Sure, I could shed some light on that. When it comes to post-secondary institutions, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) usually protects student information. However, under the Solomon Amendment, FERPA protections are somewhat limited when it comes to military recruiters.
The Solomon Amendment, enacted in 1996, mandates colleges and universities that receive federal funding to release certain student information to military recruiters upon request. The recruiters can request directory information, such as student names, addresses, and telephone listings, for students in their third year and above (or anyone 17 and older for institutions with only one year of program).
However, if as a student, you proactively request that your college or university withhold your directory information from all third parties, this also blocks it from being shared with the military. Institutions should provide a way to do this in a timely manner at the start of each academic year. This is often during the enrollment phase or via a student services portal.
It's also worth noting that some schools do have policies that limit military recruiting on campus due to contradictions with their non-discrimination policies, but the extent of these restrictions varies enormously from school to school.
Ultimately, your school will have specific information about their policies and procedures, so it may be worth reaching out to a school official or consulting the school's website to learn more about your options.
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