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FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain 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 a written request that identifies 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. If the records are not maintained by the registrar’s office, the registrar 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 record 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 disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position; 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 or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4.     The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Eastern Mennonite 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

600 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC  20202-4605

Definition of Directory Information

Eastern Mennonite University's current definition of DIRECTORY INFORMATION is listed below in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION may be unconditionally released to the public without the consent of the student, unless he/she has specifically asked that prior consent be obtained before releasing such information.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION includes:

  • a student's name
  • address and telephone listing (permanent, local, or residence hall)
  • date and place of birth
  • major and minor field(s) of study
  • participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • dates of attendance
  • degrees, awards, and honors (including Dean’s List and graduation honors) received
  • the most recent previous educational institution attended by the student
  • student level (first-year, sophomore, etc.)
  • degree sought and anticipated graduation date
  • photograph
  • class schedule
  • E-mail address
  • parent names, address and telephone listing
  • in addition, denomination, conference and congregation information will be considered DIRECTORY INFORMATION which is available to appropriate officials of the denomination, conference or congregation, and to Mennonite organizations.

Students will be notified each year by the university registrar's office as to what is considered DIRECTORY INFORMATION. Questions about FERPA should be directed to David A. Detrow, university registrar.