Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Confidentiality of Student Records
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the College is restricted as to the release of certain educational records information without the written consent of the student. All student records are maintained in the Registrar’s Office. The College can, however, release directory information which includes the student’s name, address, telephone listing, program of study, date of birth, most recent previous school attended, full or part-time status, class schedule, email address, degrees and awards, photograph, and dates of attendance without the student’s written permission. Students must notify the Registrar in writing that he or she does not want any or all of the information designated as directory information disclosed.
The College is authorized by FERPA to release personally identifiable information without the student’s written consent to:
- College officials and staff, to include instructors, within the institution who have a legitimate educational interest
- The Comptroller General of the United States
- Attorney General of the United States (for law enforcement purposes)
- Secretary of Education
- State and Local Educational Authorities
These parties may only receive access to education records if it is in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal or State supported education programs, or the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements which relate to those programs. In compliance with the Solomon amendment, the College is also required to provide directory information to the Department of Defense.
Student Access to Educational Records
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students have the following rights:
- To inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access.
- To request the amendment of their education records that he or she believes are inaccurate or misleading.
- To consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
College procedures and forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office, 100-H Building, Room 100.