Access and Privacy of Student Educational Records (FERPA)

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In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal law that governs release of and access to student education records, Andrews University grants the rights outlined within the Act to our students.

    A student has the right to inspect and review his/her educational records. A request to review these records should be made, in writing, to the appropriate University office (see table below). The student’s request will be granted within 45 days from the time the request is made. If a student believes that there is inaccurate or misleading information contained in one or more of his/ her records, he/she has the right to request that the record be amended. If the record is not amended, the student has a right to submit a written response or explanation which will then become a permanent part of the record. The student may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the FERPA requirements.

    A student has the right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in his/her education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with “legitimate educational interests.” A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the information from your education record is necessary in order to fulfill his or her official responsibilities. A student’s parent does not have a right to access the student’s educational records unless the student is a “dependent” of the parent for income tax purposes.

    A student may, of course, provide authorization for the release of records—for example, it is common to do this for parents. Student can provide authorization through their iVue by selecting “Manage FERPA Contacts” and adding them as a “New Contact.” Whenever third-party access is granted, a record should be kept in the file that shows which persons have reviewed the records, except in the cases where students grant third-party direct access to electronic files.

    Andrews University has the right to disclose “directory information” without the written consent of the student, unless the student has informed the University Registrar in writing of his/her refusal to permit the dissemination of directory information. A “Request for Non-disclosure” may be obtained at the Office of Academic Records. The University has designated the following information as “directory information”: name, local address, local telephone number, Andrews University email address, gender, marital status, hometown, date and place of birth, school, academic program (degree, major and minor), enrollment status, class standing/classification (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate), participation in officially recognized activities, dates of attendance, degree(s) received, honors and awards and photographs. Even where directory information may be released, Andrews University reserves the right to withhold such information from third parties.

    In addition, Andrews University may forward education records (which include student conduct records), without the student’s consent, to school officials of other institutions of postsecondary education at which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where he/she has already enrolled, so long as the disclosure is requested for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.

    The student may be asked to care for the reproduction costs of copies of records requested by the student. The University is not obligated to keep and maintain all educational records and thus some student records are destroyed.

    For more information, please visit the University FERPA website at andrews.edu/go/ferpa.