DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT RECORDS
棉花糖直播 University, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, has adopted this Student Records Policy to address the following issues with respect to education records: (1) disclosure of directory information; (2) confidentiality of personally identifiable information; and (3) student rights to inspect, review and seek amendment of their records. In general, education records are defined as records maintained in any form by the University that are directly related to a student.
Information concerning the following items about individual students is designated by the University as directory information and may be released or published without the student鈥檚 consent: full name; student identification number; address (local, home or electronic mail); telephone number; photograph or video; date and place of birth; major field of study; grade level; enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full- time or part-time); dates of attendance; degrees, honors and awards received (including Dean鈥檚 List); most recent previous educational institution attended; participation in officially recognized University activities and athletics; and weight and height of members of athletic teams. Students who do not wish directory information to be released or made public must inform in writing the Office of the Registrar.
All personally identifiable information contained in student records other than directory information is considered confidential information. This information includes, but is not necessarily limited to: academic evaluations; general counseling and advising records; disciplinary records; financial aid records; letters of recommendation; medical or health records; clinical counseling and psychiatric records; transcripts, test scores, and other academic records; and cooperative work records. 鈥淧ersonally identifiable information鈥� means that the information includes: (a) the name of the student; (b) the address of the student; (c) a personal identifier such as social security number; or (d) a list of personal characteristics or other information that would make the student鈥檚 identity easily traceable.
The University will generally not disclose personally identifiable information to third parties without the written consent of the student. The signed and dated consent should specify the records to be disclosed, the purpose of the disclosure, and to whom the records are to be disclosed. However, personally identifiable information may be disclosed, without the student鈥檚 consent, to the following individuals or institutions, in accordance with FERPA, including in the following circumstances:
The following are not considered education records, and thus are not protected by FERPA and this policy:
- Employment records of students as University employees.
- Campus law enforcement records created and maintained by the Public Safety Office, in accordance with the requirements of FERPA.
- Records that are made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in his or her professional capacity or assisting in his or her paraprofessional capacity, and that are made, maintained, or used only in connection with treatment of the student and are disclosed only to individuals providing the treatment. These records may be reviewed, however, by a physician or other appropriate professional of the student鈥檚 choice.
- Records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel and educational personnel ancillary to those persons, that are in the sole possession of the maker of the record and are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a temporary substitute for the maker.
- Records that only contain information about a person after that person was no longer a student at the University and that are not directly related to the individual鈥檚 attendance as a student (e.g., information collected by the University pertaining to accomplishments of its alumni).
- Grades on peer graded papers before they are collected and recorded by a faculty member.
A currently or previously enrolled student has the right to inspect and review his or her educational records. This right does not extend to applicants, those denied admission, or those admitted who do not enroll. Offices may require that requests for access be submitted in writing, and may ask for, but not require, the reason for the request. The University will comply with requests to inspect and review a student鈥檚 records that it has determined to honor within a reasonable period of time, but in no case more than forty-five days after the request was made.
Records to which students are not entitled to access include:
- Confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in a student鈥檚 record before January 1, 1975, or confidential letters and statements of recommendation to which students have waived their rights of access.*
- Financial records of the parents of the student or any information contained in those records.
- Those portions of a student鈥檚 records that contain information on other students.
- Those records listed in Section III above.
A student who believes that any information contained in his or her educational records is inaccurate or misleading, or otherwise in violation of his or her privacy rights, may request that the University amend the records. The student should first discuss his or her concerns with the individual responsible for the office where the records are maintained. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution, the student should contact the individual to whom that person reports. If still not satisfied, the student may contact the appropriate vice president or designee. The final level of appeal is a formal hearing. To obtain a hearing, the student should file a written request with the Vice President for Student Life. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of FERPA.
The substantive judgment of a faculty member about a student鈥檚 work (grades or other evaluations of work assigned) is not within the scope of a FERPA hearing. A student may challenge the factual and objective elements of the content of student records, but not the qualitative and subjective elements of grading.
If, as a result of a hearing, the University determines that a student鈥檚 challenge is without merit, the student will have the right, and will be so informed, to place in his or her records a statement setting forth any reasons for disagreeing with the University鈥檚 decision.
Students have a right to file complaints concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA and the implementing regulations.
* Students may be invited but not required to waive their right of access to confidential letters of recommendation for admission, honors or awards, or employment. Failure to execute a waiver will not affect a student鈥檚 admission, receipt of financial aid, or other University services. If a student signs a waiver, he/she may request a list of all persons making confidential recommendations.
Complaints should be addressed to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5901. Students are encouraged to bring any complaints regarding the implementation of this policy to the attention of the Vice President and General Counsel.