Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

(FERPA)

Welcome to FERPA!

Take a look around your work area. What information do you have which may need to be handled in a secure way? For example:

a university telephone directory?
student registration forms?
graded papers?
advising packets?
student information displayed on your computer screen?

We now have more access to restricted information than ever before with the University’s new CASCADE integrated data base. The consequences of how we handle, or mishandle, student information are significant. What student information can you disclose, and to whom, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)? This tutorial will help you answer these questions.

What are Educational Records?

The University’s definition is broad, "any record maintained by the University which is directly related to a student." This means that almost any student-related piece of paper is part of that student’s educational record. Also, student-related information displayed on a computer screen is considered part of the student’s educational record. However, there are some records that are considered exceptions. These exceptions primarily relate to employment, security, and health records.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects students. This law gives students five rights.

the right to inspect and review education records.
the right to seek the amendment of education records
the right to consent to the disclosure of education records
the right to obtain a copy of the school’s FERPA policy
the right to file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington, D.C.

Right to Have Some Control Over the Disclosure of Information from Education Records

How does a student restrict information the University releases? Let’s take a look at a few examples for the answer.

A Day in the Life of Pebbles Flintstone!
Welcome Back Professor Kotter!

The University has adopted a more conservative stance in regards to addresses. We usually do not release student address information to off-campus inquiries, even if there is no restriction in place

Now you try it!

Here are a few situations for you to consider. Take a moment to think about how you would solve each situation. To begin, select one of the following;

A "Forceful" Story
Let's Get Smart
Wishing you Champagne Dreams...

A Few Highlights

In general, do not release any address information to off-campus inquiries.
Check a student’s directory restrictions before you answer any questions.
Students may release any information by providing a signed release.
Remember you can find the University FERPA policy on the web.
Information viewed on a computer screen should be treated with the same confidentiality
as paper records.
Be sure to clear your computer screen when it will be unattended.

You have now completed the FERPA lesson!

As you can see educational records are all around us. Each of us needs to do our part to keep this information secure, and protect students’ rights. Watch the WEB Page for FERPA updates. Should you have questions, contact the Registrar staff. Thank you for giving us your attention, and bearing with us while we present a very serious subject in a humorous fashion.

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This page is maintained by the Office of the Registrar
Contact: Norma I. Guiler nguiler@ups.edu