FERPA
Student Rights under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) of 1974, as amended, affords students certain rights with respect to their own education records. These rights include the following:
The right to inspect and review student education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The registrar will make arrangements for access within 45 days from the date of such request, and will notify the students of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The University reserves the right to deny a copy of a student education record (including, without limitation, a transcript) for which a financial hold exists (a hold is imposed if the student fails to pay bills, fees, or fines owed to the University). A hold will not interfere with the right to visually examine student education records. Questions about the University’s policies and practices relating to the Act should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.
The right to request an amendment of student education records that students believe are inaccurate or misleading. Students should write the University registrar, clearly identify the part of the records they want changed, and specify why the records are inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the records as requested, it will notify the students of the decision and advise the students of their right to a hearing. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the students when they are notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in student education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency. Another exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review a student education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the University may disclose student education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Education records may be compelled and disclosed without consent by, or notice to, the student pursuant to a valid subpoena issued under the USA Patriot Act. Finally, personally identifiable “directory information” may be released freely unless the student files the appropriate form requesting that such information not be released. This form is available at the Office of the Registrar. Directory information includes the following:
- Name
- Student ID
- Local address
- Permanent address
- University email address
- Major and minor field(s) of study, including the division or program in which a student is enrolled
- Classification as a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate, or by number referring to such classes
- Course load—full time or part time
- Participation in officially recognized activities
- Dates of attendance and graduation, and degrees received
- Most recent previous educational institution attended
- Honors and awards received, including selection to a dean’s list or an honorary organization
- New England School of Acupuncture Clinical Internship Schedule
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The office that administers FERPA is:
U.S. Department of Education
Student Privacy Policy Office
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520