NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee in Knoxville has declined a newspaper's request to release emails between administrators that contain the names of current and former student-athletes who may have been disciplined for alleged sex assaults.
The Tennessean reports the records could provide details on how the school deals with sex assault allegations against athletes.
UT general counsel Matthew Scoggins said in a letter to the newspaper that the school is legally barred from releasing the information by the Tennessee Public Records Act and the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The latter outlines protections for students' educational records.
Robb Harvey, an attorney for The Tennessean, said the emails aren't education records and state law allows for their release.
The newspaper says it will continue to seek the records.