Office of Origin: President
Responsibility: Cabinet
Date Adopted: 11-22-05 
Date Reviewed: 07-29-09, 09-23-08, 09-30-20, 06-12-24 (C)
Last Date Approved: 09-30-20 (C)

Lake Michigan College (the College) recognizes that it collects and maintains confidential personally identifying information and is dedicated to ensuring the confidentiality and security of this information.

Except where the College is legally required to collect it, individuals will not be required to provide their social security number (SSN), verbally or in writing, at any point of service, nor will they be denied access to services if they refuse to provide it. Individuals may, however, volunteer their SSN as an alternate means of identification. If a primary means of identification is unavailable, College employees may use a SSN as needed when executing College business.

The College will treat all SSNs obtained as confidential information. SSNs will be obtained, retained, and used only for legitimate College business reasons and in accordance with the Federal and state laws and other regulatory requirements.

The College will adhere to the following objectives:

1. Broad awareness of the confidential nature of the SSN.
2. Reduced reliance upon the SSN for identification purposes.
3. Handling SSNs in a secure and confidential manner.

 References:
State of Michigan Public Act 454 of 2004
Federal Privacy Act of 1974
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Acceptable Use of Technology policy
Background Check – Employee policy
FERPA Compliance: Student Information Accessibility & Confidentiality policy
Identity Theft Prevention and Red Flag Rules policy
Institutional Data Management policy