Anyone who thinks an SSN is a secret is naive at best.
Back in the day, your student ID at California State schools was your SSN. It was on your ID card, which you had to present to do anything at the school.
Wasn't even that long ago. In 2006, the CSU I was at still used your SSN for everything - including logging into the computers. This particular school has since changed this, but I wouldn't be surprised if the practice is still used elsewhere.
Back in the day, your student ID at California State schools was your SSN. It was on your ID card, which you had to present to do anything at the school.