Higher Education ESP --
Building a Quality Workforce

The Technology & Privacy Explosion

"I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can!"

Computer technology has changed virtually everything having to do with information and information gathering and storing. But, as the saying goes, "everything is different, and nothing has changed!" Rather than decreasing paperwork, the computer age has actually increased information collection and storage on paper as well as on disc. The array and scope of information that is collected, categorized, inputted, rolled-over, and warehoused is staggering. The technological methods for all these processes is also staggering, and they can expand and change virtually overnight, "virtual" being the operative word. For many Higher Ed ESP, remaining current and skilled begins to resemble the Abbott and Costello routine: "I'm dancing as fast as I can!"

Unfortunately, administrations and boards of trustees often do not keep pace with the technology explosion and appropriate and current training is often not available. The resulting training gaps make it difficult for Higher Ed ESP to function effectively. When they must acquire training on their own in order to meet the everincreasing challenges of their jobs, it becomes personally costly. Recognition by administrations of the explosion in technology is not enough. They must work harder to provide in-service training and professional development for Higher Ed ESP.

The Privacy Issue

Collecting, recording, maintaining, and providing information confidentially, appropriately, ethically and legally requires knowledge and skill. Higher Ed ESP make important and sensitive decisions on a daily basis. They interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and the campus community and must know what information is "public" and available, and what information is "private" and unavailable. Information about medical, sexual, criminal, nationality, and security issues are in constant flux regarding confidentiality. Privacy laws and statutes -- both state and federal -- have broadened in scope in recent years and have become even more complex since September 11th. Knowing to whom and when to release information, and which information should be released, is an ongoing challenge for Higher Ed ESP.

Information collected on a college campus is generally more substantive and durable because the student population is mostly adult. Higher Ed ESP must be careful not to disseminate information in a way that might harm someone permanently. Appropriate confidentiality guidelines must protect the individual student, faculty member, or parent, and also protect the Higher Ed ESP in charge of the information. Higher Ed ESP must be diligent in knowing current and accurate laws regarding private and public information and need training and support from their administrations in order to do this very delicate and difficult job.

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