Life University and FERPA Policy SS.009

LU Policy Number: SS. 009

Effective Date: NR

Approval Date: NR

Revised Date: 8/4/2017

Purpose:  FERPA ruling application to Life University

Additional Authority: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)

Scope: All Students (COC&CGUS) of Life University

Approval Authority: Provost/EVPAA

Responsible Authority: Student Services

Definition: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a 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.

Policy Title

Life University and FERPA Policy

Policy Statement

FERPA gives certain rights with respect to student’s education records.

1. Students have the right to inspect and review their education records maintained by the university. All requests for inspection must be submitted in writing. The University has up to 45 days to respond (Every effort will be made to fill the request in a timely manner).  The university is not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for the student to review the records. If a student is a dependent, the parent may review the student’s file without written permission. Check with the specific department for age requirements determining dependent status. Neither parents nor spouses of our students can obtain grade or registration information without the written consent of the student, on file in the Registrar’s Office.
2. Students have the right to request that the university correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record, the student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the university still decides not to amend the record, the parent student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
3. The University must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

1. The University may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, the university must inform students about directory information and allow students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify students annually of their rights under FERPA.

To file a complaint if he/she feels the institution failed to comply with FERPA regulations. To file a complaint contact:

The Family Policy Compliance

Office U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520

Possible Federal and State Data Collection and Use

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records—including your Social Security Number, grades or other private information—may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General,
the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program.

The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service and migrant student records systems.

Procedure(s)

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