The Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA) affords students
certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student's educational
records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request
for access.
Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic
department or other appropriate official, written requests that
identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University
official will make arrangements for access and notify the student
of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the
records are not maintained by the University 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 amendment of the student's educational
records that the student believes are inaccurate or
misleading.
Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe
is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University
official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of
the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or
misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as
requested by the student, the University 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 the hearing procedures will be provided to the student
when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable
information contained in the student's educational records, except
to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosures without
consent.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is
disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. A school official is a person employed by the University
in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support
staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health
staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted
(such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person
serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an
official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee,
or assisting another school official in performing his or her
tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if
the official needs to review an educational record in order to
fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of
Education concerning alleged failures by the University 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, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605