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GENERAL INFORMATION | back to top

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The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus is one of the few urban public research universities in the country. The campus is located in the heart of the nation's 14th largest media market which is home to a number of highly competitive news outlets--television stations, radio stations, newspapers and magazines. As a result, University of Minnesota students may be the focus of media stories or be asked to comment on current events and newsworthy topics.

Media may stop you on campus, at a local coffee shop or outside of a residence hall and request an interview. For tips on talking to the media go to our media guide. Below are tips and policies that might make you feel more comfortable working with the media:

If you have a complaint or problem with the media in a residence hall, call the Office of Housing and Residential Life, (612) 624-0453. If you have a more general media question call the University News Service at (621) 624-5551.

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RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION | back to top

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Federal law, state law and University of Minnesota Board of Regents policy govern access to student records. Under these laws and policies, some information is considered public and some is considered private. However, it is possible for students to suppress some or all public information by requesting a nondisclosure.

All media requests for information must go through the News Service through a Data Practice Request.

In most cases, the following student information is public:

• Name
  
• Address
  
• E-mail Address
  
• Telephone number
  
• Major/Minor
  
• Adviser
  
• College
  
• Academic Awards and honors
  

In most cases, the following student information is private:

• ID and Social Security number
  
• Birth date
  
• Gender
  
• Grades
  
• Courses taken
  
• Schedule
  
• Test scores
  
• Advising records
  
• Educational services received
  
• Disciplinary actions
  
• Photographs
  
• International status
  

If there is not a nondisclosure request on file with the Registrar regarding a particular student's information, refer to the Board of Regent's policy on student records, which can be found on the university Web site here.

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MEDIA ACCESS TO RESIDENCE HALLS | back to top

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Permission is required for media to access University of Minnesota housing, including campus residence halls and off-campus student and family housing. Media must be escorted by Housing and Residential Life or News Service staff, or a resident, at all times while in University housing facilities. Unescorted media will be asked to leave.

Escorted media may film in, or report from, the common areas (lounges, dining areas, corridors) of residence halls.

Media must have permission from the occupant of individual living quarters to enter, report about, or film that space.

Media may film or solicit interviews on the public sidewalks or common areas outside of residence halls and apartments. In some special situations, media access to these areas may be limited to protect privacy, health, or safety.

To obtain permission to enter a residence hall, the media must call the News Service during business hours, Monday–Friday. After hours or on weekends, media can page the News Service at (612) 880-3056 or contact the residence hall manager. Individual hall telephone listings are at www.umn.edu/housing. For other information about residence halls, contact Housing & Residential Life at (612) 624-2994.

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