FERPA

Learn your rights with respect to your education records

Download our brochure for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), or read more about the rights that it affords students.

FERPA Brochure Consent to Disclose

Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

  • The right to inspect and review the student’s education 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 education records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. 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. 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 education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure 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 or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement 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 education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
  • The right to be informed annually of their rights under the act if they are currently in attendance.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by State 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
    SW Washington, DC 20202-4605

Definitions

The following definitions shall apply in interpreting these regulations:

  • “Attendance” includes, but is not limited to: attendance in person or by electronic technologies for students who are not physically present in the classroom.
  • “Educational record” is defined as any record maintained by the University of Saint Joseph or by a person acting for the institution that is directly related to the student.  Examples would include, but not limited to:
    • Official transcripts of courses taken and grades received;
    • Student financial assistance and loan information;
    • Tuition and payment records;
    • Student disciplinary records;
    • Course records (e.g. examinations, term papers, essays, etc);
    • Employment records based on student status
    • Education records do not include the following:
      • Records that are in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record (e.g. advising notes);
      • Employment records that are maintained in the normal course of business relating exclusively to the individual in that person’s capacity as an employee;
      • Health care records;
      • Records that contain information after he or she is no longer a student (e.g. alumni records)
  • “Legitimate educational interest” exists if the information requested by the school official is necessary for the official to perform a task specified by his/her position description or contract agreement.

Directory Information

Institutions may disclose information on a student without violating FERPA if it has designated that information as “directory information”. University of Saint Joseph defines directory information as:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone Number
  • Major field of study
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Current enrollment status (full/part time)
  • Class standing
  • Receipt or non-receipt of a degree
  • Academic awards received (Dean’s List, honor roll)

Prior written consent from the student is required before releasing non-directory information (other than the above). University of Saint Joseph may release directory information to educational officials unless written notification to not release directory information is on file in the registrar’s office.

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