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.

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).

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.

This notice is provided annually to students and explains their rights under FERPA and how to exercise them. 

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects student education records. Under this law, students have several important rights.

1. Students have the right to view their educational records. Students may inspect and review their educational records within 45 days after submitting a verified request to the office maintaining the record. Records are maintained in various offices, including colleges and administrative units. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar if assistance is needed in determining where an educational record is maintained or how to request access to a record. 

2. Students also have the right to request changes to their educational records. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights under FERPA. Requests for amendments should be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar and clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed. 

   FERPA was not intended to provide a process to be used to question substantive academic judgments or disciplinary decisions that are correctly recorded. The right to seek an amendment of an education record is not intended to allow students to contest, for example, a grade in a course because they felt a higher grade should have been assigned. 

   If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Please refer to the University’s FERPA Policy for additional information on hearing procedures.

   If, after the hearing, the University does not amend the record, the student has the right to place a written statement of disagreement in the record that will be maintained and disclosed with the record.  

3. Students have the right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from their educational records, except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent. 

   Generally, the University must have a student's written consent before releasing information from their education records. 

   The University discloses educational records to school officials with a legitimate educational interest without a student’s consent.  A school official is a person or entity authorized by the University to perform specific institutional functions or duties.  This includes employees of the University of Iowa, members of the Iowa Board of Regents, contractors, consultants, volunteers or other outside parties to whom the University has outsourced institutional services or functions that the university would otherwise perform, and students serving on an official committee. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities on behalf of the University. 

   FERPA permits the University to disclose information without student consent in the following circumstances:

• Information the University has designated as directory information, unless the student has requested a restriction.
• Officials of another institution where the student seeks, intends, or is already enrolled when the disclosure relates to the student's enrollment or transfer.
• Individuals or entities involved in administering, determining eligibility for, or enforcing the terms and conditions of financial aid.
• Persons or entities responding to a health or safety emergency when disclosure is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others.
• Individuals or organizations presenting a lawfully issued subpoena or court order, subject to applicable notice requirements.
• Accrediting organizations carrying out their accrediting functions.
• Organizations conducting studies on behalf of the University for purposes permitted by FERPA.
• Federal, state, and local educational authorities and other government officials as authorized by law.
• Parents of a dependent student as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.
• Parents of a student under age 21 regarding violations involving alcohol or controlled substances, as permitted by FERPA.
• Victims of crimes of violence or non-forcible sex offenses, as permitted by FERPA.
• The public following the final results of disciplinary proceedings involving crimes of violence or non-forcible sex offenses, as permitted by FERPA.
• Any other party authorized by FERPA or other applicable law. 

4. Students have the right to file a complaint if they believe the University is not following FERPA. Complaints can be submitted to the Student Privacy Policy Office at 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605. 

   Students may also file an internal complaint with the Office of the Registrar at ui-ferpa@uiowa.edu.