2. WHAT IS FERPA?
It is the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a
federal law that protects the privacy of
student education records.
3. THE RIGHTS THAT FERPA GIVES
STUDENTS:
The right to inspect and review their education records.
The right to request a change to their education records that they believe are
inaccurate or misleading.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information
contained in their education records.
The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education
concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with FERPA.
FERPA is forever. Educational records are always protected by FERPA. After
you graduate your records are still protected by FERPA.
5. SO WHAT IS PROTECTED BY
FERPA?
Educational Records!
What is an educational record?
A ) An “education record” is any record that is:
(1) directly related to a student; and
(2) maintained by an educational agency or institution
This includes any information recorded in any way including, but not
limited to, transcripts, handwriting, print, and computer based educational
records
6. QUIZ:
You pick up the phone and the man on the phone wants to
know which classroom his wife is in. What do you do?
I cannot give out class attendance information because class
attendance records are private because of FERPA. (Even
for married couples)
Have him talk to your supervisor, if needed.
7. QUIZ:
A student wants to allow his parents to see his educational record.
Where does he need to go?
At Oakland every office has a different FERPA waiver policy. So, it
depends on what information he wants to give out. If the student
wants to show his business class grades he must go to the business
college. If the student wants his academic advising notes, he must go
to the advising office that he utilizes.
8. QUIZ:
A father calls you and asks for his daughter’s phone number,
address, and where her Oakland Residence Hall is. You have all this
information because the student signed up on Grizz Orgs for a
program that you are coordinating. What do you do?
I cannot give out that information because it is directory
information that is covered under FERPA. Unless the student has
signed a waiver and allowed her parents to see her information, it
cannot be given out.
9. QUIZ:
When do the FERPA rights of a student begin?
At application? Admission? Payment?
The FERPA rights of a student begin when the student
starts classes.
10. QUIZ:
A faculty member places graded essays on CSA’s front
counter for students to pick up at their convenience. What is
your response?
Faculty can’t leave graded essays
11. QUIZ:
A fraternity advisor asks if you can email individual chapter grades
to him. What do you do?
You cannot transmit chapter grades via email; they must be
distributed by person or by mail.
12. QUIZ:
A Greek advisor wants to know why a student was dismissed from
the university. What do you do?
If they are not an Oakland staff member and it is not
needed for their position, do not give it to him/her.
13. QUIZ
At OU do parents have the same rights as students to access the
student’s educational record? What if they are the one who pays for
the student’s books and housing meal plan?
No, parents do not have the same rights as students to access the
student’s educational record. OU requires written consent from the
student to release information to any party – including the parent.
14. QUIZ:
Your students are volunteering at a non-profit. The non-profit
wants to write about your students in a local paper and the work they
have done. They want to include their grades to show their
achievements. What do you do?
Grades cannot be shared unless a waiver is signed. This is a
violation of FERPA.
