Don't Fear FERPA, it is FUNdamental: An Interview with Steven J. McDonald.

This article is an interview with Steven J. McDonald, the recently-retired General Counsel of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). McDonald discusses his career in higher education law, the importance of teaching FERPA to lawyers, and the differences between working in a public institution versus a private institution. He also emphasizes the need for registrars to build partnerships with general counsel and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the current FERPA statute. McDonald believes that FERPA's technology-neutral approach is a strength, as it allows for the application of existing laws and policies to new technological developments. The text discusses various aspects of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implications for higher education institutions. It highlights the need for clarity in defining who qualifies as a "student" under FERPA and the challenges of handling "inspect and review" requests that may be submitted for harassment purposes. The text also addresses the role of vendors and vendor contracts in relation to student data privacy and emphasizes the importance of working closely with legal counsel. It concludes by stating that FERPA is flexible and does not impose severe consequences for unintentional violations, encouraging readers not to fear it. [Extracted from the article]