Despite recent controversy over releasing student judicial records to the public, Kent State University’s Board of Trustees has voted to open their student disciplinary hearings to the public.A university spokeswoman said the board amended its policy regarding administration of student conduct at its Feb. 3 meeting.Ohio State and Miami University of Ohio are currently involved in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for releasing student judicial records to the public. The records were released in compliance with an Ohio Supreme Court decision made in July 1997.Under the decision, student judicial records are not considered educational records, and therefore are not protected under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).Any other student records kept by a university, such as academic or financial aid records, are considered educational, and are therefore kept private.The new policy is not ‘dramatically different’ from the old one, said Robert Beck, university counsel at Kent State. The change came about because the student government at Kent State wanted the public to be more aware of what was happening on campus, he said.Representatives for Undergraduate Student Government at OSU could not be reached for comment.This decision will not have any effect on the suit against OSU, said Steve McDonald, associate legal counsel in the Office of Legal Affairs.Testimony about a student’s record given at an open disciplinary hearing could be considered educational information and therefore would be protected under FERPA, McDonald said.’FERPA only deals with written records,’ he said. ‘[But] if the federal government adjoins us from releasing records, we wouldn’t be able to hold an open hearing.’ Beck said Kent State isn’t violating any federal laws by holding open judicial hearings.’Just having someone sit in there and hear testimony does not, to me, violate FERPA,’ he said.Lawyers at the Department of Education were not available for comment.Some OSU students think student disciplinary hearings should be open to the public.’I think the public has a right to know what’s going on in their community,’ said Tracy Sauvey, a sophomore majoring in aviation. ‘I think we have the right to know what OSU is doing to punish criminals.’Holly Ornelas, a sophomore, agreed with Sauvey, but stressed the need to protect the names of the innocent.’People have a right to know, but I don’t think it’s fair to the victims,’ Ornelas said.Andy Geiger, director of athletics, voiced support for opening student disciplinary hearings.’I think it will change the relationship students have with their universities,’ Geiger said. ‘I’m not convinced it’s all bad.’Geiger said he doesn’t think student athletes should receive special treatment if they are caught breaking university codes of conduct or committing crimes.’They don’t have any more or less to hide,’ he said. ‘They sometimes just get more attention.’OSU and Miami University will submit a brief, which states their position, to the court by Feb. 13, McDonald said. The Department of Education will have until Feb. 25 to respond to and submit its brief. The judge is likely to rule in March.