Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Notification to students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA) affords students certain rights of privacy and inspection with respect to their education records. FERPA further allows the College to disclose personally identifiable information in a student's education record under certain circumstances without the consent of the student. Furthermore, FERPA permits the College to disclose, upon request, directory information, as defined below, without the consent of the student unless the student has otherwise directed the College, in writing. Students who do not want any directory information released must file a written request to that effect with the College Registrar, or the appointed designee, on the campus where the student is registered.

Each student has the following rights with respect to the inspection and amendment of their education records:
  1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the date of the College's receipt of a written request for access, in accordance with the procedures contained in the "Student Records Policies and Procedures" (the "College Policy"). The College Policy directs students to submit their written request to the College Registrar or the appointed designee. The College Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  2. A student may request the correction and/or amendment of information in the student's record that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading, or is in violation of a student's privacy rights. Requests for corrections and/or amendments shall be made in writing and in accordance with the Section entitled "Amendment of Education Records" in the College Policy.
  3. The right of each student to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in the student's educational records. The College must obtain the consent of a student prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information to parties outside of the College, except to the extent the disclosure is permitted under FERPA or the USA Patriot's Act.
  4. FERPA does not afford a student a private right of action, but it does give a student the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Directory information

FERPA defines directory information as "information contained in an education record of a student, which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended."

The policy of the college is that without the writing consent of the student, the college will disclose the following directory information:
(1)student's name; (2) whether or not a student is enrolled in the college, including work study status; (3) major field of study; (4) dates of attendance; (5) degrees and awards; and (6) upon the reasonable request of a local, state or federal law enforcement agency, the college will provide the law enforcement agency with any directory information permitted under FERPA, in addition to the information set forth above. The college will not attempt to give students prior notice of any disclosure made pursuant to this paragraph on directory information.

The policy on disclosure of directory information does not apply to former students. Directory information, other than address or telephone number regarding former students will be released upon request, unless the request is from a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency, in which case the College will release the address and telephone number to the law enforcement agency.

Updated: August 20, 2013