A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any public institution of higher education may collect and disseminate information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of its students, provided that no such institution shall (i) require any student to indicate his religious preference or affiliation or (ii) disseminate such information without the student's consent.
B. No consent given pursuant to this section shall be construed to allow any public institution of higher education to disseminate to federal government authorities information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of its students for the purpose of compiling a list, registry, or database of individuals based on religious affiliation, national origin, or ethnicity, unless such dissemination is specifically required by state or federal law.
1977, c. 506, § 23-2.1; 2016, c. 588; 2019, c. 774.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 23.1 - Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions
Chapter 4 - General Provisions
§ 23.1-400. Student organizations; rights and recognition
§ 23.1-401. Restrictions on student speech; limitations
§ 23.1-401.1. Constitutionally protected speech; policies, materials, and reports; report
§ 23.1-401.2. Student journalists; freedom of speech and the press
§ 23.1-403. Access to campus and student directory provided to certain persons and groups
§ 23.1-404. Retention of student birth certificates authorized
§ 23.1-405. Student records and personal information; social media
§ 23.1-406. Reporting of certain students issued student visas
§ 23.1-407. Reporting of enrollment information to Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
§ 23.1-407.1. Admissions applications; criminal history
§ 23.1-408. Annual reporting of the use of student fees
§ 23.1-409. Transparency in higher education information
§ 23.1-409.1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; notice to students
§ 23.1-410. Student loan vendors