What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act
of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, protects
the privacy of student records. The Act provides
for the right to inspect and review education records,
the right to seek to amend those records, and to
limit disclosure of information from the records.
The Act applies to all institutions that are the
recipients of federal funding. The regulations for
FERPA can be found in 34 CFR Part 99.
FERPA applies to students who are currently enrolled in higher
education institutions or formerly enrolled,
regardless of their age or status
in regard to parental dependency. Students who
have applied but have not attended an institution
do not have rights under FERPA.
With certain exceptions, a student has rights
of access to those records which are directly
related to him/her and which are maintained by
an educational institution or party authorized
to keep records for the institution. "Education
Records" generally include any records in
the possession of the institution, which contain
information directly related to a student, with
the exception of those addressed below. FERPA
contains no requirement that certain records
be kept at all. This is a matter of institutional
policy and/or state regulation. The records may
be handwritten or in the form of print, computer,
magnetic tape, e-mail, film or some other medium.
FERPA coverage includes records, files,
documents, and data directly related to students.
This would include transcripts or other records
obtained from a school in which a student was
previously enrolled. Read more about student rights under FERPA.
My
son/daughter is only 17; will he/she be treated different
than someone older?
For the most part, students under the age of 18 will be treated like any other
student in the residence. However, in certain situations we will take extra
steps for students under 18. For instance, parents will be sent a copy of any
letters sent to students as a result of Student Code of Conduct violations.
Once a student reaches 18, no further letters will be mailed to the parent(s).
My son/daughter is over 18; will I receive
information from the University?
No. Since your child is an adult and we are governed by FERPA laws, the
University may not share information with you
unless there is a very serious concern for their
safety or welfare. Students may waive the right
to privacy by completing a FERPA waiver.
If I am unable to reach my son/daughter, whom should I
contact?
You can always contact our Campus Security
department at 816.501.4010 if you have a concern
about your child. |
