FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts of 1974 (commonly referred to as “FERPA” or the “Buckley Amendment”) is designed to protect the confidentiality of students’ educational records and to give students access to their records to assure accuracy. FERPA outlines four rights with respect to students educational records. They are:

1. ACCESS TO EDUCATION RECORDS: Students have the right to inspect and review their Education Records within 45 days of the day the University receives a written request for access, anytime after their matriculation.
2. REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT OF EDUCATION RECORDS: Students have the right to request amendment(s) of Education Records if they believe the records are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their privacy rights.
3. DISCLOSURE OF EDUCATION RECORDS: This right protects confidentiality of student records and requires the student’s signature to release academic records, such as transcripts. Some exceptions exist such as school officials who’ve been determined to have a legitimate educational interest, accrediting organizations, or information determined to be directory information. Examples of directory information include: name, addresses, e-mail, telephone numbers, major and/or minor fields of study, degree sought, expected date of completion of degree requirements and graduation, degrees conferred, awards and honors (e.g. Dean’s list), full or part time enrollment status, dates of attendance, or photograph.
4. COMPLIANCE: Students have the right to submit complaints concerning the University’s compliance with the requirement of FERPA to:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-4605
e-mail address: ferpa@ed.gov

For more information on FERPA, and to see the entire FERPA Policy, please visit the Registrar’s Web page on the Doane web site. Questions and concerns can be sent to the Registrar at registraroffice@doane.edu or 402.826.8251.