FERPA
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
ANNUAL FERPA NOTICE TO STUDENTS
Southwestern Christian University informs students annually of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). This act was designed to protect the privacy of education records and afford students certain rights with respect to accessing their education records. These rights include:
Inspect and Review
Students have the right to inspect and review education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit a written and signed request to the Registrar or other appropriate university official identifying specific records the student intends to review. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the location and time where the records may be inspected. If the university official to whom the request was submitted does not maintain the records in question, that official will direct the student to the appropriate official.
Request Amendment
Students have the right to request an amendment to their educational records if they believe their records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s rights under FERPA. An amendment request must be submitted in writing to the university official responsible for maintaining the record in question. The written request should clearly identify the part of the record the student wishes to amend and specify why the record it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university chooses not to amend the record, the university official will notify the student in writing of the decision and advise the student of any appeals process that might be available.
Consent to Disclosure
Students have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their educational records not permitted under FERPA guidelines to be released without the student’s consent. FERPA allows disclosure without consent including, but not limited to:
(a) School officials with a legitimate educational interest as defined by FERPA
(b) School officials or lending institutions in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received if the information is necessarily determining eligibility, amount, conditions for the aid or enforcing the terms and conditions of the aid
(c) Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of educational institutions. Student records will note when such disclosures have occurred
(d) Accrediting organizations
(e) Parents of dependent students as verified under Internal Revenue Code 1986, Section 152 (NOTE: Appropriate tax documentation must be provided by the parents.)
(f) Parents of students under the age of 21 who have violated university policies related to alcohol or controlled substances
(g) Final disciplinary proceedings against a student who is an alleged perpetrator of a violent crime (18 U.S.C. § 16) or non-forcible sex offense regardless of whether the violation was proven under the university’s rules or policies
(h) Persons whose knowledge is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals where there is an articulable and significant threat to the health and safety of a student or other individuals
(i) Legal representatives with a lawfully issued subpoena or court order
(j) Information deemed as directory information unless the student has requested in writing within 14 days of enrollment at SCU that directory information be held from disclosure (SCU directory information that may be disclosed by the university for any purpose at its discretion includes name, classification, major and degree programs, home and local addresses, e-mail address, all phone numbers, previous institutions attended, dates of attendance, full-time or part-time status, honors and awards, degree/s conferred including dates, religious affiliation, participation in official university athletic and music programs, physical factors such as height and weight, photograph, and birth information such as date and place.)
File a Complaint
Students have the right to file a complaint at the following address concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605
Students with questions about FERPA should contact the Registrar’s Office at 405-789-7661 x2214 or registrar@swcu.edu.