Schools put privacy above subpoenas

The record industry this month subpoenaed Bentley College student records as part of the battle to halt Internet music downloading, but school officials yesterday said they believe student privacy should take precedence.

Bentley spokeswoman Janet Mendelsohn refused to discuss the subpoena yesterday, but said she believes student records fall under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, which would prohibit the school from handing over student names.

Looks like groups other than the ALA are starting to realize where all of this is going.