Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The University maintains an educational record for each student who is or has been enrolled at the University. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the following student rights are covered by the Act and afforded to all eligible students at the University. See www.unco.edu/regrec/FERPA/FERPA.htm for "eligible student" definition.
- The right to inspect and review information contained in the student's educational records.
Students should submit to the Registrar's Office 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.
- The right to request amendment of the contents of the student's educational records if believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights.
Any student who believes that his/her education records contain information that is inaccurate or misleading or is otherwise in violation of his/her privacy or other rights or who believes that his/her records have been or are being maintained or processed in violation of his/her privacy or other rights, may discuss his/her concerns informally with the Registrar's Office. If the decision of that person is in agreement with the student's request, the appropriate records shall be amended and the student shall be notified in writing of the amendment(s). If the decision is not in agreement, the student shall be notified within thirty (30) calendar days that the records will not be amended and the student shall be notified by the official of the student's right to a hearing.
Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to prevent disclosure without consent, with certain exceptions, of personally identifiable information from the student's educational records. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. “School officials” shall mean any person who is a trustee, officer, agent or employee of the University. “Legitimate educational interest” shall mean any authorized interest or activity undertaken in the name of the University for which access to an education record is necessary or appropriate to the proper performance of the undertaking. It shall include, without limitation, access by a student's instructor, division head, dean, the chief academic administrator, the president, a trustee, the custodian of the University records, the alumni administrator, legal counsel, the financial aid administrator administrators charged with maintaining education records, the staff and subordinates of the foregoing, and others authorized by the President to the extent the foregoing persons are acting within the course and scope of their employment or authority.
- The right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the provisions of the Act. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.
Each of these rights with any limitations or exceptions is explained in the University's policy statement, a copy of which may be obtained from the Registrar's Office.
The University may provide “Directory Information” in accordance with the provisions of the Act without the written consent of an eligible student unless it is requested in writing that such information not be disclosed (see below). The items listed below are designated as Directory Information and may be released about any student for any purpose at the discretion of the University unless a written request for nondisclosure is on file:
- Category I: Name, address(es), e-mail address, birth date, telephone number(s), dates of attendance, classification, and enrollment status.
- Category II: The most recent institution attended, major field of study, honors, awards and publications, degree(s) conferred and conferred date(s), degrees pursued or being pursued.
- Category III: Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors of athletes (height and weight).
Currently enrolled students may prohibit general disclosure of this Directory Information by notifying the Registrar's Office in writing within 10 calendar days after the first scheduled class-day of each fall term. The University will honor the request until the student notifies the Registrar's Office in writing of intent to allow release of Directory Information. The student should carefully consider the consequences of any decision to withhold Directory Information. Regardless of the effect upon the student, the University assumes no liability that may arise out of its compliance with a request that such information be withheld. It will be assumed that the failure on the part of a student to request the withholding of Directory Information indicates the student's consent to disclosure.
Directory information may be disclosed through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, paper, electronic, voice and other means. Any questions concerning the student's rights and responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act should be referred to the Registrar's Office.