FERPA

Release of Student Information: Notification of Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), post-secondary students enrolled at DePauw University are hereby notified of their rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
   
   
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 University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University Official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the records as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
   
   
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks. A school official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
   
   
4. The right to withhold directory information—items generally considered to be public information.The following items may be made available at the institution’s discretion and without student authorization unless students notify the registrar’s office by August 1 of each year that they wish this information be withheld. Directory information includes:
   • name, address (local and home) and telephone numbers (local and home)
   • e-mail user name
   • school in which enrolled
   • student classification
   • dates of enrollment
   • date and place of birth
   • major field of study
   • past and present participation in officially recognized activities and sports
   • photographs and videos for University and other publications
   • physical factors (weight and height of athletes)
   • previous educational institutions attended
   • degrees conferred and dates as well as awards received
   • eligibility (not grades) for institutionally recognized organizations and honoraries, including sororities and fraternities
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by DePauw University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.