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University of Central Oklahoma
The Student Voice Since 1903
THURSDAY December 7, 1995
Twenty-year-old law serves to protect students' records By Mary Reinauer Staff Writer , UCO's most recent interpretation of a 20-year-old federal law made posting grades by student ID or Social Security (SS) number a thing of the past. Jerry Legere, assistant vice president for enrollment management, said he had long been concerned about UCO's former practice of using parts of students' SS numbers to post semester grades in public. At a recent conference of college registrars, Legere said the 1974 Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibited the practice. "One of the regulations that they identified was that you
could not give out grade information using personal identifiable information," said Legere. "Posting the last four digits could violate a student's right to privacy." The law was passed to deny non-qualified persons access to protected information such as grades, grade point averages and class schedules. Under the former system, anyone who knows a UCO student's last name and SS number could access any enrollment terminal on the first floor of the Administration Building for personal information. Dr. Albert Lynd, associate vice president of academic
affairs, said measures are taken to protect students' privacy. Grades will be mailed to the address students listed at registration and they can change the mailing address any time. Students who want to obtain grades before they are mailed may go to the Student Records counter with their photo ID. Legere said a voice-activated system is anticipated by spring. The more efficient system will save UCO $5,000 in mailing costs every year. For a preview of the system, students can call 1-800-4723369. They should key in 020-468919 for an SS number and 07OD 13-70 for the date of birth.
Credit service warns of high interest By Judy Simpson Student Writer Credit card debt can become a financial nightmare for many college students. Learning to work within a budget is the key to financial survival. According to Ray L. Hance, director of Education for Consumer Credit Counseling Service, credit card companies target students in the hopes of attracting long-term customers, but interest rates can be as much as three times higher than rates for established credit card
holders. If one uses a credit card at 18 percent interest to pay $1,000 for books and tuition and make minimum payments toward it, it would take close to 6 1/2 years to pay it off. The accumulated interest would cost you an extra $650. The Consumer Credit Counseling. Service suggests five strategies to avoid overextending one's finances. • Do not use credit cards for living expenses such as groceries, utilities or gasoline. • Keep your consumer debt
load at about 20 percent or less of your annual income after taxes. • Try to be able to repay your total consumer debt within a 12month period. • Avoid buying more of a product than necessary. • Avoid long payoff plans for autos. If students find themselves overextended, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service can help. It has an office located in Edmond at 2 East 11th, Suite 109. For more information, call them at (405) 341-4443.
Watch out!... Jennifer Deliere practices' a defensive right backhand during UCO's karate class in Wantland Hall. The move is immediately followed by a left-hand forward punch. The class, taught by black belt Bret Bryan, meets Monday and Wednesday nights spring and fall semesters. (Staff photo by Joy McNutt)
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Campus Quotes 2 Sports 12,13 Around Campus .. 19 Tid Bits 19 Comics 19 Classifieds 20
THIS WEEKEND Find out what to do for the week's end in The Vista's Around Town listing.
SPORTS Two Broncho tennis players rated among nation's best in the Rolex Poll last week.
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FIRE DRILL Edmond firefighters practice before the cameras of journalists representing a national publication.
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