Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been looking at student records across the country.
However, the FBI has not contacted the U.
“I thought we’d be contacted by [the FBI’s] office before now, but we have not,” said Ben Lemmon, U police chief.
Shortly after Sept. 11, the FBI searched flight instruction program records at schools around the state, said Kevin Eaton, FBI supervisory special agent to the Salt Lake field office. Some of the questioned schools include Utah State University and Westminster College.
“I’m pretty sure the U was part of that request,” he said. “But I’m not sure if the FBI has contacted the U since then.”
According to Dean of Students Stayner Landward, the FBI made a request for international students’ phone records at the U Police Department, but the police did not release any information.
Landward referred the FBI to Kay Harward, associate vice president for student affairs.
“I haven’t heard from them yet, but they may contact me,” Harward said.
If the FBI does contact Harward, he won’t release much information.
The U abides by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which limits the information any university official can give out to directory information, such as addresses and phone numbers.
However, students can place a “do not release” order on their records. If a student does so, university officials can’t give out any information.
“The only way anyone can get information is with subpoena,” Harward said. “If the FBI brings us a subpoena, then I’m sure we’ll cooperate.”
Mahima Pathak, an international student from Nepal, is relieved the U is being careful with students’ records, but doesn’t mind the FBI investigating student records.
“It’s not a big deal,” Pathak said. “As long as it’s for our safety, and it doesn’t hurt others, then it’s OK.”