Directory Information

Educational records must not be released, except to authorized individuals, without written consent from the student.

The general exception is directory information. FERPA allows individual colleges/universities to specify what is considered directory information on their campuses.

Release of Information

Students may grant permission for the university to disclose or discuss student records.

Parents and third parties may not have access to student records unless the student signs a consent form, fills out the Student Record Consent Form through MyUI, or provides the parent/third party with a MyUI Guest Account.

Faculty and Staff FERPA Info

To ensure the UI campus community is in compliance with FERPA regulations, all University of Iowa faculty, teaching assistants, and staff who may interact or work with students and/or student records will be required to complete FERPA training every three years. After having completed the training, instructors will be required to attest to an Annual Certification Notice on Jan. 1 of each year in Employee Self-Service. 

Student Rights Under FERPA

An eligible student is a student who is 18 years old or enrolled at the University of Iowa. Students may request viewing access to records, files, documents, and other materials requested and maintained by the university that contain information relating to the student. 

Requests should be sent to ui-ferpa@uiowa.edu and will be managed on a case-by-case basis.

Student Records Policy

Dean of Students

The Student Records Policy is administered by the Dean of Students and outlines general student FERPA rights.

Students Have the Right To

Seek Amendment to an Incorrect Record

A student who wishes to ask the University of Iowa to amend a record should:

  • Submit a formal, written request to the Office of the Registrar.
  • Include the following information in the request.
    • Student's University ID.
    • Situation description or record adjustment requested.
    • Faculty/staff member involved (if applicable).

After submission, the Office of the Registrar will facilitate the inquiry and will notify the student of the outcome.

If the outcome is not acceptable to the student, they may file a written request for a hearing to the Office of the Registrar. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures can be found in the University of Iowa Policy Manual.

Limit Disclosure of Directory Information

Students are entitled to restrict the release of directory information, and former students may restrict address and telephone number. A request to restrict directory information will remain in effect until revoked by the student.

  1. Log in to MyUI using your HawkID and password.
  2. Select student information in the banner at the top of MyUI.
  3. Under student life management, select restrict or unrestrict student information. 
  4. On the student data restriction panel, students can remove their name and address from university phone books, restrict public release of their residing address and/or phone number, and prohibit the release of academic information (major, college, class, degrees received, dates of attendance, and full/part-time status).
File Complaints with the US Department of Education

If you believe your rights have been violated under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), please visit the Department of Education's File a Complaint webpage.

Parent and Third Party Information

Parents may not have access to student records unless the student releases their information.

What are parental rights under FERPA?

A parent can obtain access to a student’s personally identifiable information when: the student has authorized (via written consent) their parent to accompany them to a meeting with a college official(s); the student has submitted an Student Record Consent Form through MyUI; the student provides express written consent for third party release of education records; a health or emergency situation exists that threatens the safety of the student or others; a student under the age of 21 is in violation of any laws governing the use of alcohol; the student is deceased, upon which FERPA rights cease.

What information may be released without a student’s consent?

Directory information, information for which the student has given written release, information needed by a school official with a legitimate educational interest, final disciplinary results of a crime of violence committed by a student, parental notification of an alcohol/drug violation committed by a student under 21 years of age, disclosures to victims of crimes of violence or non-forcible sex offenses, disclosures to other schools which the student seeks or intends to enroll or where the student is already enrolled as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer, and emergency situations where there is an imminent risk to health and safety.