Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student 鈥渆ducation records.鈥 鈥淓ducation records鈥 are defined, with a few exceptions, as records containing information directly related to a student that are maintained by a school or its agent (including electronic records). FERPA prohibits schools from disclosing education records, or personally identifiable information in those records, other than certain basic directory information, without the student鈥檚 prior written consent, or the parent鈥檚 consent if the student is under the age of 18. The student may even request that directory information be withheld. Some exceptions allowing disclosure of education records do apply. For further information contact the Office of the University Registrar.
Disclosure is defined as permitting access to, or the release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information contained in education records to any party, by any means, including oral, written, or electronic. Exposing student education records to unauthorized access due to inadequate security measures may arguably constitute a disclosure in violation of FERPA. Other FERPA obligations may be affected by security and system integrity breaches. FERPA provides students the right to access and petition to correct their records, and a security breach might result in the loss or alteration of student records. Similarly, FERPA requires schools to track disclosures of education records to third parties and maintain a database of students who opt-out of directory information disclosures. Security breaches may impair a school鈥檚 ability to perform these functions.
Under the terms of FERPA, 海角社区 (海角社区) has established the following as Directory Information and may be released to those requesting it unless the student specifically requests otherwise by submitting written notification in person to the Office of the University Registrar:
- Student Name
- Local Address/Phone
- Home Address/Phone
- E-mail Address
- Date & Place of Birth
- Degrees and Awards/Honors Received and Dates
- Dates of Attendance (Current and Past)
- Full or Part-Time Enrollment Status
- Participation in Officially Recognized Sports
- Weight/Height of Member of Athletic Teams
- Most Recently Attended Educational Institute
- Major Field of Student/Classification
All other information may not be released without written consent of the student. Grades, 海角社区ID鈥檚, Ethnic Backgrounds and Student Schedules may not be released to anyone without the student鈥檚 written consent other than the student and NEVER over the phone. Please note that students may restrict Directory Information at any time and that if the student restricts the release of Directory Information, a special overlay screen appears when you attempt to access the student鈥檚 record on the SRR database; no information may be released on that student without further written permission.
Further information on FERPA can be found at:
海角社区 Office of the Registrar - FERPA Information for Faculty and Staff
海角社区 Policy Statement 30 - Student Privacy Rights