Privacy Concerns Arise After Student’s Leaked information
By: Leyah Jackson
Students received a campuswide email from Pirate Notification regarding the transport of a first-year student to Sentara Careplex Hospital by Hampton fire and rescue on the evening of September 23. The email included the students first and last name, residence hall, and hospital, raising concerns about privacy at Hampton University.
The Hampton University’s Pirate notification system is controlled by Hampton University Police Department. The university’s 2025-2026 official handbook outlines how privacy is protected within several areas including, the Health Center, educational records, reporting and data privacy.
Hampton University’s Release of Information Policy references the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and asserts that the university complies with the law’s guidelines. FERPA separates student information into two categories: Directory Information, such as name, address, telephone number, major field of study; and Non-directory information, including grades, ID numbers, residence hall, disciplinary or medical notes.
According to Hampton’s official handbook, “Hampton University designates the following information as public or directory information. Such information may be disclosed by the institution at its discretion: name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (including Dean’s List)...” (page 45). For the release of non-directory information, universities must have signed documentation from students, granting permission.
Victoria Williams, the student whose information was shared via email without written consent said that they and their family were upset and hurt by the email. She expressed feeling like her privacy was violated and that the campus-wide email left her vulnerable to questions from peers. The email quickly appeared on college social media app Fizz where students questioned who the email was about and what had happened.
“It can’t be taken back, but what can you do?” Williams said, “I don’t want to make too much more of a deal out of it, because at the end of the day none of my medical info was released. But my living arrangements and first and last name should have never been included in the email.”
Following the incident, some students feared the same mistake could happen to them, and questioned the functionality of the university’s privacy protocols. Freshman student Kennedi Williams describes not taking action out of fear of being exposed.
“I felt as though they’d breached her privacy and as someone who had experienced a health scare, that situation did prevent me from telling my dorm director, because she would’ve had to send an email to the office of Residence Life, which would result in another email,” Freshman Kennedi Williams said, “I did risk getting early curfew, because I didn’t tell a GA, but I didn’t want the entire school to know my business.”
The student confirmed that following the email, HUPD Chief David Glover, personally apologized and explained that the email was only meant to be sent to the student’s dorm advisor, HUPD faculty, and essential professors.
The incident has sparked ongoing discussions among Hampton students about privacy and communication on campus. HUPD did not respond to our offer for an interview, but students say they hope the university will take steps to ensure sensitive information remains confidential in the future.
