Interesting Policy Reads: Tracking Student Attendance via an App, Federal Data Privacy Bill Progress (or lack thereof), and Net Neutrality in Maine

With our "Interesting Policy Reads" blog posts, the EDUCAUSE Policy Office highlights recent articles on federal policy issues and developments that are directly relevant to members or provide insights on higher education policy in general.

• GPS to Track Student Attendance, Inside Higher Ed, June 20, 2019. (A California professor created a smartphone app to track student attendance, but the app has raised concerns about privacy because it collects location and personal data.)
• Schools and Phone Companies Face Off Over Wireless Spectrum, Wired, June 25, 2019. (The Federal Communications Commission [FCC] published a plan to auction off unused wireless spectrum intended originally for schools, pitting wireless providers and schools against each other.)
• FTC to Unveil Robocall 'Call It Quits' Campaign, Broadcasting & Cable, June 24, 2019. (The Federal Trade Commission [FTC], following recent steps taken by the FCC, has announced a joint agency campaign to crack down on unwanted robocalls.)
• Progress on Federal Data Privacy Bill Slows in Both Chambers, Roll Call, June 25, 2019. (Failing on the original intent to unveil a federal data privacy law this May, bipartisan lawmakers are struggling to craft a law that sets a standard on company safeguarding of consumer data and provides a remedy for consumers already affected.)
• Online and Out of State, Inside Higher Ed, June 26, 2019. (Eastern Gateway Community College in Ohio is facing scrutiny for rapidly growing online enrollment of out-of-state students into its program. State lawmakers and community college leaders are concerned about drawing public money away from other state colleges.)
• 'Small Teaching Online', Inside Higher Ed, June 26, 2019. (With help and insight from author James Lang and his book on effective teaching and learning in the traditional classroom, author and professor Flower Darby has written a supplemental book on effective teaching and learning in the digital world.)
• Maine Governor Signs Net Neutrality Bill, The Hill, June 26, 2019. (Maine Governor Janet Mills signed a net neutrality bill into law. The law requires internet service providers contracted by the state to follow the now-repealed 2015 FCC Open Internet Order).
• AI Powers 'Self-Healing' Technology, The Wall Street Journal, July 2, 2019. (Companies are now using AI to take care of their IT problems, noting that AI is often faster at fixing these issues than humans are.)
• Criticism Over IT Outsourcing Decision, Inside Higher Ed, July 8, 2019. (A Michigan community college contracted with higher education software and IT service provider Ellucian to provide technology management services. The move has drawn criticism from faculty and staff members at the school about its practicality and effectiveness.)
• Boosting Degree Completion With Blockchain, Inside Higher Ed, July 9, 2019. (Arizona State University is working to create a student data network to allow community colleges and universities to share students' academic records in an attempt to help award transfer students an associate degree if they meet the requirements.)

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Kathryn Branson is an associate with Ulman Public Policy.