Dennis Dulniak

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Records Privacy FERPA

• Dennis Dulniak
• Paul Viau
• Registrars Office

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What is FERPA?
Ø FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974. It was passed into federal
legislation by Senator James Buckley of New York
because of his concerns about the intrusion by
governmental and other busybodies into students
records.
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What is FERPA?
ØThis federal privacy law affords students the
right to Øinspect and review their educational
records within 45 days (State of Florida law 30
days) Øseek to amend educational records Øhave
some control over the disclosure of information
from their educational records Øobtain a copy
of the Universitys student records policy
(see the Undergraduate Catalog) Øfile a
complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations
Family Policy Compliance Office
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FERPA also outlines what student information
universities may release, to whom, and under
what circumstances.
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Key Terms

• Educational record
• Personally Identifiable Information
• Directory Information

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What are educational records?

• ØAny information maintained by the University, in
  any medium, that is directly related to the
  student.

What is personally identifiableinformation?
ØData or information that comprises a list of
personal characteristics that would make the
students identity easily traceable. (See
FERPA Reference Sheets
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Examples of personally identifiable information
and educational records

• Social Security Number
• University Student ID (PID)
• Grades/GPA
• Class Schedule
• Residency Status
• Test Scores
• Email address

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What is Directory Information?
ØData or information, the disclosure of which
generally is not considered to be harmful or an
invasion of privacy ØDefined by UCF (within
FERPA guidelines)
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Directory Informationat UCF

• ØName
• ØCurrent mailing address
• ØPhone number
• ØDate of birth
• ØEnrollment status (Full or Part-Time)
• ØDates of attendance
• ØMajor
• ØDegrees and awards received
• ØParticipation in officially-recognized
  activities and sports
• ØAthletes height and weight

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FERPA allows students to hold the release of
DirectoryInformation
Obtain the information hold on-line in Student
Self-Service or download the form from the
Registrars Office website.
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FERPA allows students to hold the release of
DirectoryInformation
Once a student has requested a hold on their
Directory Information, this icon will appear.
Click on it to learn what the student has
requested not to be disclosed.
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Normally under FERPA, the release of educational
records requires
the StudentsWritten Signed Consent
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Who may be allowed record access without written
consent?
Ø School officials with legitimate educational
interest
Ø Officials bearing a judicial order or subpoena
Ø Officials responding to a health or safety
emergency
Ø Parents of a dependent student
Not a comprehensive list
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What about parents?
ØFERPA rights transfer to the student at age 18
or once he or she attends a post-secondary
institution, regardless of age. ØParents
(including legal guardians) may obtain
educational record information, at the discretion
of the University, IF they can provide the
Registrars Office with tax return documents
establishing the student as a financial dependent
or by obtaining the students written consent
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What about parents?
ØParent calls and says Under FERPA, Im allowed
to know what grades my student is making in
college! ØIF they provided the Registrars
Office with tax return documents establishing the
student as a financial dependent or obtained the
students written consent . . .
ØThe Registrars Office is going to contact the
student and ask the student to make contact with
the parent to discuss the situation.
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To release educational records (non-directory
information), the Registrars Office must receive
Written Consent
ØMust be initiated by the student ØSpecifies the
record(s) to be released ØStates the purpose of
the disclosure ØIdentifies the parties to whom
the information may be released ØMust be signed
and dated by the student ØIs valid for one
semester only
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Additional Resources

• ØUndergraduate Catalog
• ØGolden Rule
• Øwww.registrar.ucf.edu
• Øwww.registrar.ucf.edu/ferpa/staff/reference_sheet
  _for_faculty/
• Øwww.ed.gov

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161 Millican Hall Telephone [phone] E-mail
registrar_at_mail.ucf.edu FERPA for Faculty
Staff at www.registrar.ucf.edu/ferpa/staff/ Dr.
Dennis J. Dulniak Paul Viau
University Registrar Associate University
Registrar