FBI, INS approach universities for information on foreign students

In conjunction with investigations following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have asked more than 200 universities and other higher education institutions for help.

The FBI has asked schools to turn over financial and academic information about students — particularly foreign students — according to an ongoing survey by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

At least one of the suspected hijackers in last month's attacks was in the United States on a student visa.

The FBI has contacted at least 144 institutions in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, while the INS has contacted at least 56 colleges, according to the survey. At least 1,175 college and university officials responded to the survey.

Princeton administrators said they were unaware of any recent requests to release student information to authorities.

University spokeswoman Mari-lyn Marks said Princeton "will deal with specific inquiries if and when they come up."

Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs Joy Montero said that while she was not aware of any such requests for information, the University would try to balance protecting the privacy of students with cooperating with investigators, if asked for student information.

"In responding to such requests, the University will want to balance carefully what may appear to be competing interests: on one hand, following our usual practice of protecting the privacy of our students and on the other, providing appropriate assistance to federal authorities in a time of national crisis," Montero added.

"In each case, the graduate school will consult with the general counsel's office and will review the situation with great care to determine the appropriate institutional response," she continued.

The survey also reported that most colleges have not notified students whose records were released to investigators.

While federal regulations normally ban colleges from releasing information about students without their consent, the exemptions allowed by "health or safety emergencies" have allowed colleges to release information to investigators without notifying students.

According to the 2001 edition of Rights, Rules, Responsibilities, under the section dealing with student privacy rights under federal law, the University may release without consent — unless the student objects in writing within 30 days after enrollment — directory information such as the student's name, date and place of birth and major fields of study.

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The manual also states that the University will disclose information to government agencies entitled to it by law. Should the University be unable to notify the student involved, it will disclose information in response to a lawfully issued subpoena.