FERPA Training and Certification for Instructors
Starting Feb. 1, 2024, 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.
Previously, FERPA training was a one-time requirement.
After having completed the training, instructors will be required to attest to an Annual Certification Notice on Jan. 1 of each year in UI Self-Service.
FERPA Training Modules
FERPA training modules are determined by your status with the University of Iowa.
What Faculty and Staff Need to Know
This information includes basic FERPA information, including your responsibility as a faculty/staff member, explanations of an educational record, and directory information.
Intro
What is FERPA?
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), also known as the Buckley Amendment, was passed by Congress in 1974.
FERPA is designed to protect the privacy of students’ educational records and personally identifiable information.
FERPA applies to all educational agencies or institutions, including the University of Iowa, that receive funds under any program administered by the Secretary of Education.
It's Your Responsibility
As a faculty or staff member at the University of Iowa, you have a legal responsibility under FERPA to protect the confidentiality of student educational records in your possession. Student educational records (other than directory information) are considered confidential and may not be released without written consent of the student. Your job places you in a position of trust and you are an integral part of ensuring that student information is handled properly.
Education Records
An education record is any record that is directly related to a student and maintained by the university.
Education records include any records in whatever medium (handwritten, email, print, digital, etc.) that are in the possession of any school official.
Exceptions: Education Records Do NOT Include:
- Records in the "sole possession of the maker that are not accessible to other personnel.”
- Law enforcement or campus security records created and maintained by the law enforcement unit and used for law enforcement purposes.
- Employment records.
- Medical/psychological treatment records.
- Alumni records (those created after the student graduated or left the institution).
Directory Information
Directory information consists of information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if publicly available. Directory information is considered public and may be released without the student’s written permission; however cannot be released if the student has restricted access by updating their personal information in MyUI.
- Directory Information cannot include: race, gender, SSN (or part of the SSN), grades, GPA, country of citizenship, or religion. Except in very specific circumstances, a student ID number also cannot be considered directory information.
- Every student must be given the opportunity to “opt out” or have directory information suppressed from public release.
- A “no release” does NOT mean that a school official within the institution who has a demonstrated legitimate educational interest cannot access the information.
Full list of directory information at the University of Iowa.
About the UI FERPA Team
The UI FERPA Team monitors legislative updates, reevaluates and updates definitions and policies.
Mission
The FERPA team was created to support the UI campus community as an institutional resource for FERPA regulation training, guidance, policy interpretation, and protocol.
Our mission is to provide consistent reliable information and data while protecting student privacy and the security of educational records. We aim to provide accessible and timely service with integrity.
Vision
We envision a UI campus community knowledgeable about and committed to the spirit of FERPA.
Contact
UI FERPA
Offers assistance with FERPA regulations and guidelines, provides training, and supports IRB approval processes for campus partners.