FERPA
SECURITY/CONFIDENTIALITY/INTEGRITY OF STUDENT RECORDS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Who Has The Right to Access Student Records?
- Any student enrolled at Jones Junior College assumes the rights formerly accorded parents unless he/she is a dependent under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
- Jones Junior College assumes that all students are independents unless otherwise notified by the student within five (5) calendar days after the completion of the registration process.
When Can Grades Be Discussed with Parents(Third Parties)?
- At no time should student grades and student records (transcripts) be discussed with parents (third parties) over the phone or email. Student grades/records should not be discussed with parents (third parties) in person in the absence of the student.
What Information Can Be Discussed?
-The Family Education Right and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) allows for “directory information” about students to be made public without specific permission. According to the law, “directory information” includes name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, email address, major field of study, weight and height of athletic team members, schedule, class roster, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous school attended, and photograph. Students may restrict the school from releasing this information by making a written request in the Office of Student Affairs within five (5) calendar days after the completion of the registration process.
Does FERPA Apply To The Use Of Electronic Data?
With the increase in use of computerized record-keeping systems, faculty staff must be diligent is ensuring that the policies of the institution are enforced. The same guidelines for confidentiality must be applied to electronic data as to paper documents.
Faculty and staff should use extreme caution when allowing others (ex. Work-study students) access to their computers.
