Social Security Number Policy

 

October 23, 2000

 

To:        Deans, Directors and Department Heads

 

From:    Pete Likins, President
            Pete Perona, University Information Security Officer

 

Subject:  A.R.S. §15-1823 and University Use of Social Security Numbers

 

Last year the State Legislature enacted a statute restricting university and community college use of social security numbers as student and employee identification numbers. This legislation presents some complex challenges that will require major system and process changes throughout the University. Although these system changes will occur at various times prior to the legislative deadline, there are things that we can do and should do now to comply with the new statute and other existing applicable law. Our request at this time is that you observe the following section of the state legislation regarding display of social security numbers:

 

The University shall not allow the display of the individual’s social security number, or any four or more consecutive numbers contained in the individual’s social security number, on any Internet site maintained by the university or other publicly accessible document for any purpose. A.R.S. § 15-1823(A).

 

You are asked to circulate this memorandum within your unit, especially to faculty and staff who handle student or employee records, and to proactively look for ways to ensure compliance. This is an important step to protect the privacy of the members of the University community.

 

For more specific detail of the statute and project status see the Information Security Office web page http://w3.arizona.edu/~security/special.htm. Please email any questions or comments to iso@u.arizona.edu or call 621-4482.

 

At a later date, further information and guidance will be issued concerning assignment of identification numbers.