Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Education Records
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a United States federal law that affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right of the student to inspect and review his or her education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect to the Director of Enrollment Services and Registrar, Associate Provost for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Department Chair or other appropriate officials. College officials will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be viewed. If the requested records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the correction of education records that the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading. The student should write to the College official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record(s) they want corrected and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides not to correct the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right of consent to disclosures of identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. An exception to the policy against disclosure without consent is disclosure to College officials with legitimate educational interests. A College official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support-staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff), and may include a student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A College official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities. The College may disclose certain information, known as Directory Information, at its discretion without consent. If a student does not want this information released, the student must complete a Non-Release of Directory Information form, available in the Enrollment Services office. Other examples of non-Directory Information that may be disclosed without consent include, but are not limited to, a response to subpoenas and/or search warrants, or in cases of emergencies where the life or safety of a student or others is endangered. Upon request, the College may disclose education records without a student’s consent to officials of other schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605
Directory Information
The College has established the following information as Directory Information: student name, major field of study, enrollment status (full- or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational institution attended.