Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)(1974)

FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education/academic records.

In 1974, Congress enacted FERPA to guarantee students access to their educational records and to prohibit dissemination of educational records without the student's consent.

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. The link above provides a listing of what the University of Iowa considers directory information.

Accessing Student Records

Faculty/Staff

Staff and Faculty listed as an advisor or performing administrative duties can request student record access in MAUI after FERPA training is complete.  For directions on how to complete FERPA training and obtaining MAUI access please visit Faculty and Staff FERPA Information.

Instructors are considered school officials as defined by FERPA. Faculty members are given access to class and grade rosters through "My Courses" in MAUI. Beyond this, instructors must demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in order to receive additional student-record access.  Any person with access to student records, regardless of title or status, should consider educational need to know before accessing a record.  

Release of Student Records (Parent and Third Parties)

Student Record Consent - Completing the Student Record Consent form allows school officials to release or discuss information that you select (e.g., grades or financial aid) in either oral or written form, with the individuals you specify.

Guest Accounts - Guest Accounts allow individuals you select to have viewing privileges in MyUI. For Billing, the Guest User can view and discuss U-Bill related information and schedule payments to the student U-Bill with a secure login.

Student Records Policy

The Student Record Policy states student's general FERPA right.  The policy is administered by the Dean of Students.

The Dean of Students office has additional student record policy and directory information.