Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. The University must comply with a request for access to records within a reasonable period of time, but not more than 45 days after it has received the request.

What does FERPA mean for students?

  • Gives certain rights to students regarding access to their academic records.
    • Inspect
    • Review
    • Challenge accuracy of an education record
  • Protects academic records - defines what may and may not be shared with the general public.
  • Gives students the option to not allow any information to be shared without their consent.
  • Students may not make copies or take photos of any documents in their file.

What records are considered academic records?

  • Education records are those records which contain information directly related to the student and are maintained by the University or by a party acting for the University.
Examples of academic records include:
  • the information contained in the student files of the Student Records, Dean, Academic and Administrative departments that are accessible to other University employees with a business need-to-know
  • computer records
  • e-mail communications kept on file
  • student files on microfilm

What records are excluded from FERPA?

  • Personal records of faculty and staff that are not available to others
  • Records of the Public Safety Office which are maintained for law enforcement purposes
  • Employment records, unless employment is contingent upon student attending Binghamton University
  • Medical records made and maintained in the course of treatment and disclosed only to those individuals providing treatment
  • Records that only contain information about a student after they are no longer a student at Binghamton University
How does FERPA protect academic records?
  • FERPA does not allow student records to be released to the general public or to those outside the University without student consent. An exception is "directory" information.
  • FERPA provides guidelines for what may or may not be considered directory information. Binghamton University provides students with this definition via the Student Handbook.
What is directory information at Binghamton University?

It is the only information that can be released without the student's consent.

Directory information includes:

  • name
  • local address and telephone number
  • home address and telephone number
  • e-mail address
  • class level
  • degree information (including any associated majors, minors, or certificates)
  • dates of attendance and status (full time, part time)
  • awards and academic degrees awarded at Binghamton University
  • participation in recognized University activities (election outcomes, membership in athletic teams, participation in plays, etc.
  • personal information on members of University athletic teams (height, weight, high school, etc.)
Why is it important to know what is considered directory information at Binghamton University?

However, the University may determine there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals. Information from education records may then be disclosed to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others. (Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO), U.S. Department of Education)

Directory exclusion
  • A student has the right to request Directory Exclusion Authorization Form.
  • This means that the student's name and other information is excluded from the printed directory and the university online directory. It also means that the University will not release ANY information about the student without a signed release from the student.
  • Directory exclusion remains on the student's record indefinitely until the student requests that it be removed using the Directory Exclusion Removal Form.

What does FERPA mean for parents?

FERPA does not automatically grant parents the right to access the educational records of their children. At Binghamton University, parents may gain access only with the written consent of the student.

  • Release of Student Records may be signed and submitted to Financial Aid and Student Records by the student, granting access to a parent, guardian, etc.

What does FERPA mean for faculty?

This means that faculty should not post, display or in any way make the following available to the general public or other students (even if they are in the same class):

  • class lists
  • petition cards
  • grade sheets
  • anything with student B-Numbers, Social Security Numbers, grades, etc.
  • other forms with student information
What does FERPA mean for staff?
  • All employees who have access to educational records are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of those records.
  • University employees may not release information to a third party without the written consent of the student.
  • Staff should be aware of what is considered directory information and only release such information after confirming that the student has not requested directory exclusion.
Questions about FERPA?
  • If in doubt, do not release information.
  • Contact Student Records for clarification.

Questions about an interpretation of the federal law or about specific situations?

Contact

Amber Stallman
Director, Student Records
Phone: 607-777-6569
email: stallman@binghamton.edu