1. What is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974? [FERPA]
FERPA deals specifically with the educational records of students who
reach the age of 18 or who attend a postsecondary institution, granting
them certain rights with respect to these records. The student has the
right to:
a. inspects and reviews their educational records;
b. seeks to amend their educational records if appropriate;
c. has some control over the disclosure of information from those
records.
2. To what educational institutions do the regulations apply?
FERPA applies to all educational agencies and institutions that receive
funds under any program administered by the Secretary of Education.
3. Who is considered a student?
A student is any person who attends or has attended Blackburn College.
4. What are education records?
Records containing a student’s name, social security number, student
number, or other personally identifiable information are covered by
FERPA unless identified in the Act’s excluded categories. An education
record is any record in whatever form (handwritten, taped, print, film
or other medium), which is maintained by the College and is directly
related to a student. Exceptions include:
a. personal records kept by a College employee if the record is not
revealed to others and is kept in the sole possession of the employee;
b. student employment records that related exclusively to the student in
the capacity of a College staff employee (does not apply to Work Program
records);
c. records maintained separately from educational records solely for law
enforcement agencies of the same jurisdiction;
d. counseling records maintain by the College Chaplain or the College
Counselor;
e. medical records maintained by the College solely for treatment and
made available only to those persons providing treatment; and
f. Alumni Office records.
5. When may student educational record information be disclosed?
The College will disclose “non-directory” information contained in a
student’s educational record only with written consent of the student,
with the following exceptions:
a. to school officials, including instructors, who have a legitimate
educational interest in the records;
b. to officials on another school in which the student seeks or intends
to enroll;
c. to federal, state and local agencies and authorities as provided
under law;
d. to the parents of an eligible student if the student is clamed as a
dependant for income tax purposes;
e. accrediting organizations;
f. to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; and
g. emergencies affecting the health or safety of the student or other
persons.
6. What is Directory Information?
Disclosure of directory information may be made without the student’s
consent. Directory information includes the student’s name, school and
permanent address, school and permanent home telephone number, school
mail box address, major, dates of attendance, degree(s) received and
dates of conferral, weight and height of athletes.
The “Faces Book” is considered to be Blackburn College’s public
directly. A housing roster is distributed to College offices, and is for
internal use only.
7. What if the student does not want Directory Information
released?
A student who wishes to have directory information withheld must
complete a Registration Information Card each semester. The student will
have the option of withholding or releasing directory information and
Dean’s List information. Students who do not want the College to release
directory information will be flagged on the CAMS system.
8. What may I, as a faculty or staff member, disclose to others?
What may I, as a faculty or staff member, disclose only Directory
Information providing then have evidence that the student has not
restricted the release of information. Faculty and staff members must
check the CAMS system prior to releasing any directory information.
9. Can non-Directory information ever be released?
Other information may be released with the student’s written consent.
Such written consent must (a) specify the groups to be released, (b)
state the purpose of the disclosure. (c) Identify the party or class of
parties to whom disclosure may be made, and (d) be signed and selection
10. What penalties can e imposed for non-compliance with the
Act?
Non-compliance may terminate the institution’s eligibility to receive
Federal funding.
11. Where may I obtain more information on FERPA?
Policy may be found in the Student Handbook, or call The Registrar’s
Office of Dean of Students Office.