FERPA

As a Sanger staff member, you will come into contact with student records that are protected under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as “Ferpa.”  The law, also known as the Buckley Amendment, applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education. Go to www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco to learn more. Ferpa applies to personally identifiable information in educational records. This includes items such as the student's name, names of family members, addresses, personal identifiers such as social security numbers, and personal characteristics or other information that make the student's identity easily traceable. Educational records are all records that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a party acting on its behalf. A record means any information recorded in any way, including handwriting, print, tape, film, microfilm, microfiche, and digital images. At UT Austin, Ferpa rights apply to all students. A student is a person who is or has been in attendance at the institution, regardless of the person's age. 

What information about students may I release to faculty members and other University staff members?   Items defined as directory information may be released without a student's written permission, provided that the student has not chosen to restrict his or her directory information. All other personally identifiable information in a student's educational record is confidential and may be disclosed to appropriate University administrators, faculty members, staff members, appropriate administrators, staff members of the Texas Exes, or contractors acting on behalf of the University who require such access in order to perform their legitimate educational and business duties,when such records are needed in furtherance of the educational or business purposes of the student or University.  

What information about students may I release to parents?   You may disclose directory information to a parent (as you may to any third party) if the student has not restricted his or her directory information. If the student has restricted all of his or her directory information, you should respond to any inquiries by saying "I have no information to provide about that individual." Confidential information may be released to parents with the express, written permission of the student.   

Do I have to release information from a student's educational record?   FERPA regulations state that you MAY release directory information about a student, but FERPA does not require or compel you to do so.

 Do I have to keep a record of the release of information from a student's educational record?   A record of each request for access and each disclosure must be kept, unless the request was made by or the disclosure was made to one of the following:

1. The student;
2. A school official who has legitimate educational interest;
3. A party with written consent from the student;
4. A party seeking directory information only.

These records must be kept with the educational records of the student as long as the educational records are maintained by the University.  

May I release confidential information to officially registered student groups?   Student groups do NOT have legitimate educational interest and consequently may not be given confidential information about a student or students without each student's express, written permission.  

Whom should I contact with questions or concerns?   Direct general questions to the University Compliance Services, the vice president for student affairs, or the registrar, as appropriate. Send comments or suggestions to the registrar's office.