×

Price of privacy high in NMU cases

Over last several weeks, our community has been engaged in a dialog about finding a delicate balance – a balance between the need for transparency weighed against a fundamental right to privacy.

Transparency is central to meeting our mission as a public university. All of us have a responsibility to be open, honest and direct. Transparency in our decision making processes, transparency through open dialog, transparency in our daily work must be at the core of who we are and what we do. Not only should we respond to requests in a timely manner but we should be proactive in sharing as much as is legally and ethically permissible.

Yet, transparency is not without limits. Just as transparency is a central ethic so too is our right to privacy. Rights to privacy and fair treatment are well established in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of Information Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. As a public university, Northern Michigan University is subject to each law, including protections for individuals.

Although social media and the power of Internet search engines make it seem as if your personal business is fair game, in reality it is not. There are those who would argue that, in the name of transparency, personal information of students, faculty and staff should be made public just for the asking. There are those who believe that just because we work or go to school at a public university, access to our personal lives must be unfettered. Such a belief is ethically and legally misguided.

As individuals we are all free to tell the world about our lives, the good and the bad. As an employer and as a school, however, we cannot and will not violate personal boundaries, especially those protected by law and by principles of common decency. Protecting an individual’s right to privacy is a fundamental responsibility that we take seriously. Each has safeguards under the law. Each deserves respect within the parameters of a core ethic that defines how we should treat one another.

Northern Michigan University, as a public university and a part of our community, will accept complaints and criticisms, founded and unfounded, as we protect the basic rights of privacy of our students, faculty and staff. We will not hide behind the veil of privacy but we will protect privacy. In the end, if we are criticized for redacting personal and protected information as part of a FOIA request, or if we are criticized for not commenting on personnel matters then so be it. If that is the price of protecting privacy, if that is the price for doing what is right, then we shall pay that bill.

Editor’s note: Fritz Erickson is president of Northern Michigan University.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today