Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, As Amended
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.
Review and Correction:
- A student has the right to inspect and review his/her education records within 45 days of the day the institution receives a request for access. Students should submit a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect to the Registrar. A 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 Registrar, the student will be advised of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. If circumstances prevent the student from inspecting and reviewing the records in person, such as distance or disability, or other circumstance, a copy of institutional records may be provided at the University’s option. A charge will be assessed for such option.
- Students have the right to ask the University to amend any of their educational records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. 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.
Disclosure of Educational Records:
- Information defined as Directory Information may be released without a student’s consent. West Coast University defines Directory Information to include:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email address
- Birthday and month
- Enrollment Status/Grade Level (e.g., First Term, Second Term, etc.)
- Date of Graduation
- Degrees and Honors Received
- Photos
- Major Field of Study
- Dates of Attendance
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Most Recent Institution Attended
- A student ID or online user ID (as long as it may not be used to access educational records except when in conjunction with a student’s personal password or personal PIN)
- A student’s social security number is never considered Directory Information.
- A student may opt out of Directory Information disclosure by submitting a written request to the Registrar within 30 days of the student’s start of classes.
- A student has 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.
Definitions: