Nevada's universities sell students' names as money-making enterprise

We're not sure exactly what problem Nevada's university regents are having resolving the issue of selling students' names to credit-card companies.

Actually, we may have a clue: It's a money-making enterprise, and they're reluctant to shut the tap.

Nevertheless, it's an abuse of the universities' public trust to sell student names for commercial purposes.

The names, addresses and phone numbers are a matter of public record. But it's how such information is compiled and provided -- as well as the university's implied endorsement of commercial products -- that makes all the difference.

In this instance, it's credit cards. A University of Nevada, Las Vegas official argues students can get lower rates and better terms than generally are available with the university-endorsed credit card.

So what?

It makes us wonder how many other companies the universities are endorsing. Long-distance phone calls? Health insurance? Laundry soap? Beer?

At its January meeting in Las Vegas, the Board of Regents put off a decision until the March meeting so members can, in the words of Regent Steve Sisolak, "come up with a proposal that the greatest number of people can buy into."

Here's one students and parents -- the people most affected -- can buy into:

Students, as part of their registration each semester, are given a chance to "opt in" to sale of their names for commercial purposes. They can check a box that says, "Yes, I agree to allow the university to sell my name and address to commercial businesses for the purpose of sending me solicitations."

It's a system they're already familiar with, as virtually every Web site that takes their e-mail address asks them something similar. Our guess is they're also familiar with the amount of junk mail they receive if they do check the box.

At the same time, Nevada's universities should get out of the business of endorsing products. Once they've started down that path, it's only a matter of time before some really big bucks start doing the talking and we end up sending our sons and daughters to someplace called the University of Nevada, Enron.