UMSV 328 FERPA

Policy Name: FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, grants all eligible students the right of access to their own educational records as defined in the law. The law prohibits access to or release of personally identifiable information without the prior written consent of the student except under certain limited circumstances. It is also known as the Buckley Amendment and gives students the rights to:

• Inspect and review their education records;
• Request a correction to their education records;
• Request that the institution does not disclose directory information about them; and
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

What is considered directory information at the University of Mount Saint Vincent?
At the University of Mount Saint Vincent, directory information on each student includes the following information:

• Student name
• University email address
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height (if member of athletic team)
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees
• Honors and awards received

What does FERPA mean for faculty and advisors at the University of Mount Saint Vincent?
FERPA guidelines, as they apply to faculty and advisors, are as follows:

• Only access those student records you need in the course of normal business.
• Do not post grades publicly.
• Only post grades in Self-Service/Banner.
• If a student requests to receive a grade directly, use only a University-issued email accounts for both sender and recipient.
• Do not release any non-directory information without written authorization from the student, not even to a student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

To obtain additional information or training regarding the FERPA for faculty and advisors at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, please contact the Office of the Registrar.