Two Michigan State Reps Misrepresent Degrees

Free Press review surfaces errors in degree claims by 2 state lawmakers in bios (Lily Altavena, Clara Hendrickson, and Emily Lawler, Detroit Free Press, August 30, 2023

 

Interesting. I do feel for the one student who didn't realize they did not meet the degree requirements despite having been given a diploma and participating in graduation.

The other is a lot harder to justify. Why does every person who has a false claim on their resume claim a staffer put it together? Why are staffers writing biographies at all?

 

Easier to fire a staffer than yourself. Easier to do nothing to a staffer than yourself. Easier to pretend you have a staffer than take responsibility.

 

I had a staffer once who put in my bio that I had been Pope. I explained carefully that I was only a cardinal and voted for popes. Then I traded her to the Episcopals for future considerations.

 

These are unfortunate errors, but at least those two legislators actually attended and put in face (and butt in chair) time at the college/university in question.

Is there a term, like "stolen valor" (in the military realm) when it happens in the academic realm?

 

"Fraud."

 

How is it legal to reveal whether a student attended or graduated from a school? Doesn't violate confidentiality?

 

FERPA, which protects student privacy, allows the release of directory information without consent. This includes, among other things, dates of attendance and any degrees, honors or awards received: https://www.ksbschoollaw.com/blog/2022/1/26/alls-fair-in-food-and-ferpa-what-exactly-is-directory-information

I had to do FERPA training when I taught at Eastern.

 

This is true. Added: the student may request that information be masked (withheld).