Student Rights Under FERPA

An eligible student is a student who has reached 18 years of age or is attending the University. Upon written request, students will be given viewing access to all records, files, documents, and other materials maintained by the University that have information relating to the student. Students may be asked to schedule appointments to review/see their records.

Students Have the Right To:

  • Be notified of their FERPA rights at least annually
  • Inspect and review their records
  • Seek amendment to an incorrect record
  • Limit disclosure of directory information
  • File complaints with the US Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office.

When do FERPA rights begin? A FERPA-related college education record begins for a student when he or she enrolls in a higher education institution. At a postsecondary institution, rights belong to the student in attendance, regardless of the student’s age.

Student Records Policy- Dean of Students

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

How do I limit the disclosure of my 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 in writing

  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 the Student Data Restriction panel, students have the ability to remove their name and address from university phonebooks, restrict public release of their residing address and/or phone number, and prohib the release of academic information (major, college, class, degrees received, dates of attendance, and full/part-time status).
    Example of the Student Data Restriction panel in MyUI

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.

What can be released to military recruiters? - Solomon Amendment

Under the Solomon Amendment, institutions are required to provide directory-type information on students, at least 17 years of age who are registered for a least one credit, upon request from representatives of the Department of Defense for military recruiting purposes. This information, referred to as “student recruiting information”, includes: student name, addresses, telephone listings, age or year of birth, place of birth, level of education or degrees received, academic major, and the most recent previous educational institution in which the student was enrolled.

If a student has restricted their student information in MyUI, this restriction will be honored.

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 Academic 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.