FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records. It also provides guidelines for appropriately using and releasing student education records. FERPA was passed in 1974 and is also called the Buckley Amendment.
FERPA covers students who are currently attending or have ever attended Connecticut College. Rights begin on the first day of classes of the first semester of enrollment. Prior to the first day of class, they are NOT covered under FERPA.
FERPA grants students four primary rights:
- The right to inspect and review their own education records.
- The right to seek to have those records amended.
- The right to have some control over the disclosure of information from their records including personally identifiable information.
- The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education.
What are education records (and covered by FERPA)?Education records include records, files, documents, and other materials that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by the College. What is not an education record (and not covered by FERPA)?
What information can be released?
What is considered directory information?Directory information maybe disclosed at the discretion of the College, without the student's consent. Under FERPA, students have the right to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of this personally identifiable information as "directory information," and thereby have the information withheld from public disclosure, by filing a written request to the Office of the Registrar by the first day of classes. If a request is not received by the Office of the Registrar by that date, it will be assumed that the above information may be disclosed for the current academic year. If a student chooses to withhold information from public disclosure, the College will follow the student's directive unless or until the student notifies the Office of the Registrar that the information may be disclosed. 1. The name of the student who is or has been in attendance 2. The dates of attendance and class year 3. The enrollment status of the student (on campus, study away, or on leave) 4. The local address and telephone number (not residence hall room number) 5. The permanent address and telephone number 6. The cellphone number 7. The date and place of birth 8. The major field of study 9. Participation in college-sponsored co-curricular activities and athletics 10. The height and weight of members of athletics teams 11. The degrees and awards received 12. The most recent previous educational institution attended 13. Student Photo ID images 14. Email address
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