Who Can Access Student Records?
- The student and outside party with student’s written consent
- A person with lawfully issued subpoena or court order
- Parents of a dependent student
- School officials
This act does not protect deceased students or persons who have applied but not attended.
About Written Consent
Institutions shall obtain written consent from students before disclosing any personally identifiable information from their education records. Written consent must specify the records to be released, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or parties to whom disclosure may be made.
Note: Emails are NOT acceptable way to receive written consent.
Who Is A School Official?
- Employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position
- Elected to the board of trustees
- 3rd party companies employed by or under contract with the college to perform a special task such as the attorney, auditor, or collection agency
- Student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official
Directory Information
Information that may be released unless restricted by the student:
- Student name (including former name)
- Address (local and permanent residence)
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
- Major and Minor fields of study
- Class level (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior, grad, etc.)
- Who Can Access Student Records?
- The student and outside party with student’s written consent
- A person with lawfully issued subpoena or court order
- Parents of a dependent student
- School officials
- This act does not protect deceased students or persons who have applied but not attended.
- About Written Consent
- Institutions shall obtain written consent from students before disclosing any personally identifiable information from their education records. Written consent must specify the records to be released, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or parties to whom disclosure may be made.
- Note: Emails are NOT acceptable way to receive written consent.
- Who Is A School Official?
- Employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position
- Elected to the board of trustees
- 3rd party companies employed by or under contract with the college to perform a special task such as the attorney, auditor, or collection agency
- Student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official
- Directory Information
- Information that may be released unless restricted by the student:
- Student name (including former name)
- Address (local and permanent residence)
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
- Major and Minor fields of study
- Class level (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior, grad, etc.)
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of athletic teams
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status (e.g. undergraduate, graduate; full-time, part-time, or not enrolled)
- Date of graduation
- Degrees, certificate and awards received, including President’s Honor Roll
- Status as graduate assistant and assignment
- Most recent educational agency or institution attended
- If an item of student information is not defined or listed as directory information, then it is not directory information. It can only be released with the student’s written permission, or if the release can be justified under one of the exemptions found in FERPA.
- Non-directory Information
- Social Security Number
- WSU ID number
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Citizenship
- Nationality
- GPA
- Grades
- Academic standing
- Religion
- FAFSA information
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- Spouses and FERPA
- A spouse is considered an unrelated 3rd party as far as FERPA is concerned. They cannot conduct business for the student without written consent.
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- Parents and FERPA
- Parents may not obtain non-directory information such as grades, attendance, or GPA unless they file a Declaration of Dependence form with the Office of Registration and Records and bring proof the student is legally their dependent. WSU will notify the student that such a form is on file.
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- Educational Records
- Any record from which a student can be personally identified. Examples include files, documents, and materials in whatever media (handwriting, print, tapes, disks, film, microfilm) containing information directly related to students.
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- Directory
- Information from a student’s educational records not normally considered a violation of a student’s privacy if disclosed without student permission.
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- Filing a Complaint
- Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
- Family Policy Compliance Office
- The office that administers FERPA is:
- Family Policy Compliance Office US Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901
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- Additional Resources on FERPA
- The Department of Education has provided useful information for schools, students and parents regarding privacy laws and school safety. Please read this brochure for more information. Also, additional information for parents regarding FERPA may be found at the Department of Education website.
- The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act requires all postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus security policies and certain crime statistics. Statistics on campus crimes must be provided to students, faculty, and prospective students. The WSU Police Department publishes an annual disclosure report.
- Learn more at ferpa.em.wsu.edu.
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of athletic teams
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status (e.g. undergraduate, graduate; full-time, part-time, or not enrolled)
- Date of graduation
- Degrees, certificate and awards received, including President’s Honor Roll
- Status as graduate assistant and assignment
- Most recent educational agency or institution attended
If an item of student information is not defined or listed as directory information, then it is not directory information. It can only be released with the student’s written permission, or if the release can be justified under one of the exemptions found in FERPA.
Non-directory Information
- Social Security Number
- WSU ID number
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Citizenship
- Nationality
- GPA
- Grades
- Academic standing
- Religion
- FAFSA information
Spouses and FERPA
A spouse is considered an unrelated 3rd party as far as FERPA is concerned. They cannot conduct business for the student without written consent.
Parents and FERPA
Parents may not obtain non-directory information such as grades, attendance, or GPA unless they file a Declaration of Dependence form with the Office of Registration and Records and bring proof the student is legally their dependent. WSU will notify the student that such a form is on file.
Educational Records
Any record from which a student can be personally identified. Examples include files, documents, and materials in whatever media (handwriting, print, tapes, disks, film, microfilm) containing information directly related to students.
Directory
Information from a student’s educational records not normally considered a violation of a student’s privacy if disclosed without student permission.
Filing a Complaint
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Family Policy Compliance Office
The office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office US Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901
Additional Resources on FERPA
The Department of Education has provided useful information for schools, students and parents regarding privacy laws and school safety. Please read this brochure for more information. Also, additional information for parents regarding FERPA may be found at the Department of Education website.
The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act requires all postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus security policies and certain crime statistics. Statistics on campus crimes must be provided to students, faculty, and prospective students. The WSU Police Department publishes an annual disclosure report.
Learn more at ferpa.em.wsu.edu.