Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records:

  • The right to inspect and review their educational records with 45 days after request to the university.
    • A student may request to review their educational records by submitting a written, signed request to the Office of the Registrar indicating which records they wish to review. The Registrar will review the request, make arrangements for access and notify of when and where the records can be inspected.
  • The right to request an amendment to a record the student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA.
    • A student who wishes to ask the university to amend their record must submit a written request identifying the record to be changed and the reason why it should be changed. If the custodian of the record and the student agree that information is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's rights, the custodian may make the necessary correction. However, if there is a dispute regarding the change, the student may request an Administrative Hearing Board hearing. If the decision of the Administrative Hearing Board is unsatisfactory to the student, the student may request a statement commenting on the information be placed upon the record. If the student believes that the resolution is not consistent with FERPA, he or she may file a complaint with the US Department of Education.
  • The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information from the student's record, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
    • A student must provide a written request to release records which contain personally identifiable information. The written request must include which records are to be released, the purpose of the disclosure, the party to whom the records is to be released to, and be signed and dated by the student.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirement of FERPA.
    • A student has the right to file a complaint alleging violation of FERPA within 180 days of the alleged violation to Family Compliance Office, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202-5901.

The Faculty Staff Handbook Section 2600 defines student education records, the custodian of records, and who has access to the records.

What is directory information?

Directory information are those items contained in the education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy. The items considered directory are:

  • Student's name
  • Individual photograph or electronic image
  • Local address and telephone number
  • Permanent address and telephone number
  • Email address
  • Class
  • Academic major
  • College
  • Full-time or part-time status
  • Academic and other honors
  • Heights and weights of members of athletic teams
  • Specific athletic achievements
  • Letters of commendation
  • High schools and other academic institutions attended
  • Scholarships awarded
  • Withdrawal date
  • Degree earned and date is was conferred
  • Dates of attendance
  • Leadership positions in university organizations

Students who wish to request confidentiality of their directory information may do so by submitting a Confidentiality Request to the Registrar's Office. Students who request confidentiality will not appear in the Campus Directory.