The University applies its FERPA policy, entitled “Privacy Rights for Students,” uniformly to all students, whether courses are deployed in a traditional, online, blended, or other distance learning format. This policy is published in all academic catalogs and in the Student Handbook.

Privacy Rights for Student

The University is subject to the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law affords students certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:

1. 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 Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place the records may be inspected.
   
   
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the Registrar decides not to amend as requested, the Registrar will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request and will provide the student with additional information regarding the hearing procedures.
   
   
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personal 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, 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 education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
   
   Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
   
   The University may also disclose without the student’s consent, “directory information” unless the student has advised the Registrar in writing at least five days following registration that the student does not wish part or all of the directory
   informations to be made public. Once filed, this instruction becomes a permanent part of the student’s record until the student instructs the University, in writing, to have the request removed.
   
   The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the University to include this typoe of information in certain University publications, the media, and outside organizations. The University has designated the following as examples of directory
   information: The student’s name, addresses including electronic mail address, telephone numbers, date and place of birth, major field of study, degree sought, attained class level, expected date of completion of degree requirements and gradustion, degrees and awards received, picture, dates of attendance, full or part-time enrollment status, the previous educational agency or institution attended, class rosters, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, institution attended, class rosters, weight and height of athletic team members and denominational preference.
   
   The University may disclose education records incertain other circumstances, but shall do so only upon the authorization of the Registrar.
   
   
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements FERPA. The name and address of the office which administers FERPA and to which complaints are to be sent is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20202 4605.