FERPA Guidelines

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.

These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
   
   
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
   NOTE: The right to challenge grades does not apply under the Act unless the grade assigned was inaccurately recorded.
   
   
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that the law authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to college officials with legitimate educational interests. Another exception is the release of "directory information," which may be released without a student’s consent unless specifically prohibited by the student. The following is considered directory information:
   
   
   
   • a student’s name, local or mailing address*, hometown, e-mail address, and telephone number (*For resident students, local address is their PO Box number and residence hall. For commuting students, and all students when classes are not in session, if no local or mailing address is available, the permanent address applies.)
   • school and major field of study
   • participation in officially recognized activities and sports
   • weight, height, and age of members of athletic teams
   • dates of enrollment
   • full-time or part-time status
   • certificates, degrees, and awards received, including Dean’s List and graduation honors

   A student’s grades are considered directory information only to the extent that Dean’s List and graduation honors may be published. Individual grades and GPA information are not directory information and will not be released without the consent of the student.

   A request form to prevent disclosure of directory information is available at the Registrar's Office (Boyden Hall, 003) or www.bridgew.edu/registrar/forms.cfm and must be filed prior to the close of the drop/add period in any given semester or term.
   
   
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of federal law as they pertain to access and disclosure of students’ education records.
   
   The name and address of the Office that administers this law is:
   
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
   Washington, DC 20202-4605

Questions or concerns about the privacy of students’ education records or these procedures may be brought to the attention of the Registrar, Boyden Hall, 003.

Last Modified: June 10, 2008