International Services director clarifies information printed

First and foremost, the records of about 3,200 international students were not released to federal authorities last week, as was asserted in the lead of that article. When interviewed over the phone for the article, I did cite the fact that about 3,200 international students are currently enrolled at IU Bloomington. But my office has not received a direct request for information on those students from the FBI, nor have we provided such information.\n As I explained to the reporter, the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service last week requested and was given (in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations), a limited amount of information about one student who had attended, but no longer attends, IU Bloomington.\n The request for names alone of international students who had been enrolled in the Intensive English Program over a five-year period was made directly to the coordinator of that program by the IUPD, on behalf of the FBI. This was similar to directory information; only the names of students who had taken courses in this program were given. In the opinion of the University counsel's office, that request met the guidelines for release of information put forward by the U.S. Department of Education in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. \n IU has established a clear policy regarding how the University will respond to such inquiries. Information will not be disclosed to law enforcement agencies without guidance from the University counsel's office about the propriety of the request.\n None of these issues is unique to IU, nor do I believe that our University's policies differ significantly from those of our peer institutions. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, universities around the state and the nation are responding to similar requests for information. In doing so, we have two responsibilities. We must abide by applicable laws regarding the release of such information during a national crisis. And we must also do whatever is possible to make certain that the legitimate privacy rights of all of our students -- both domestic and international -- are protected. We will continue to fulfill those responsibilities.\n The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have raised anxiety on our campus. International students, in particular, are most concerned about potential negative reaction toward them in the aftermath of those events. Erroneous reports about university policies in regard to those students only serve to heighten those concerns. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to set the record straight.