Indiana University’s mishandling of confidential Beginning College Student Engagement Survey (BCSSE) data reveals a breach in student privacy.
Every year, numerous educational institutions in the United States and Canada administer surveys to their first-year, transfer, and older students. These surveys aim to gather information about their prior academic and co-curricular experiences, as well as their expectations for the upcoming year.
Regrettably, the survey does not ensure anonymity, as students must disclose their full names and student card numbers. Furthermore, participants are required to share personal details like their intended place of residence during their studies, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and aspects related to their psychological well-being.
Although the survey aims to maintain confidentiality and only publicly shares aggregated data, the recent incident at Indiana University has shattered this trust. In 2021, the BCSSE revealed concerning statistics, indicating that over 50% of incoming students experienced mental and physical exhaustion, while 20% expressed feelings of desperation.
Undoubtedly, a survey that solicits personal information and delves into deeply private thoughts should have robust security measures in place. Unfortunately, this requirement is not consistently fulfilled, raising significant concerns.
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