It’s the Law
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), also known as the Buckley Amendment, was passed by Congress in 1974.
It grants four specific rights to a post-secondary student who is currently enrolled or was formerly enrolled:
- To see the information that the institution is keeping on the student.
- To seek amendment to those records, and, in certain cases, append a statement to the record.
- To consent to disclosure of his/her records.
- To file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington.
FERPA prevents non-directory and confidential information from disclosure without the student’s written consent. FERPA applies to all educational agencies or institutions that receive funds under any program administered by the Secretary of Education. The penalty for noncompliance can be withdrawal of Department of Education funds from the institution.
Student Information Types
Directory/Public Information is considered public and can be released without the student’s written permission. However, the student may opt to keep this information confidential. The student must submit a written objection with the Registrar’s Office within 30 calendar days of the beginning of the term in which he or she enrolls during that year.
Directory/Public Information
“Directory information is…information contained in an education record of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.” - FERPA Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 99.3
Directory Information at EICC:
- Name, address, phone, email
- Photograph
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status (full/part-time)
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Degrees and awards received
- Academic honors
- Most recent previous school attended
- Artwork or writing
Information not included in the list above is confidential student information and may not be released outside the college without the student’s written permission.
Student educational records include information provided by a student for use in the educational process such as the following:
- Personal information (names, etc.)
- Enrollment records
- Student’s exams or papers
- Grades
- Schedules
Directory information can NEVER include:
- Social security number
- Student ID number
- Race/ethnicity
- Grades
- Country of citizenship
- Gender
- GPA
- Photograph and likeness
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