Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Annual Notification

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is:

A person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position, including health or medical staff.
A person elected to the Board of Trustees.
A person employed by or under contract to the university to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor.
A person who is employed by the university security (law enforcement) unit.
A student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is:

Performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or contract agreement.
Performing a task related to a student's education.
Performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
Providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.
Maintaining the safety and security of the campus.

Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

The following data is considered to be directory information and may be given to an inquirer, either in person, by mail or by telephone, and may be otherwise made public: name of student, address (both local, including email address and permanent), telephone number (both local and permanent), photograph, date and place of birth, date of registered attendance, school or division of enrollment, major field of study, nature and dates of degrees and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. If the inquiry is made in person or by mail, a student’s date and place of birth and signature may be confirmed.

An individual student currently enrolled may request that such directory information not be disclosed by completing a nondisclosure form which may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office and giving the completed form to the Registrar prior to the last day to register or add courses for credit.

Students with complaints about violations to student record privacy or access to records may contact the Executive Director of Student Life at 850-263-3261 ext. 415. Students also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-4605