FERPA Information session 2017

Exceptions to FERPA

• Sole possession (un shared) records
• College law enforcement records
• Medical/psychological treatment records
• Alumni records crafter after the student was enrolled
• Peer graded papers an exams prior to the grade was awarded

Are student related comments or notes covered by FERPA?

• Notes are not in the category of sole possession are a part of the student education record and subject to FERPA
• Degree works notes
• keep notes factual and objective

Who can view student record information without consent?

• School officials' faculty with legitimate educational interest
• Officials at an institution in which student seeks or intends to enroll or is currently enrolled
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
• Appropriate parties in connection with awarding financial aid to a student
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school

Information can be given out without consent (Directory information)

• Date of enrollment
• degrees earned

Not given out:

• address
• date of birth
• phone numbers

What if parent needs information about child?

• see if student accompanies the parent
• tax returns have the student as dependent

Letter of recommendations

• requires a written and signed confirmation of student's request
• The legal council was not clear on this wriiten requirement or if an e-mail request would suffice and mentioned that he will let faculty know about the updated procedure of securing student consent.

Social Media

• FERPA does not forbid instructors from using social medial in classroom adhering to common sense guidelines to ensure protections of students

• If students are assigned to post information to public media, make them aware of its visible ness
• If student chooses to post any information by themselves, they are free to do that FERPA only covers what faculty and staff can and cannot do
• be careful when confidential/grade discussing information with a student via email or phone as we do not know who is on the recipient's end.

Admission records are not art of the educational record unless the student enrolls in classes

Examples of FERA violation
publicaly posting grades using IDs/names
discussion of progress reports without students written consent