FERPA

Student Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy act of 1974 is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of current and former student's educational records and afford students certain rights with respect to their education records.

Notification of Student Rights

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 EMU receives a request for access.

    Students should submit to Eastern Michigan University's (EMU) Office of Records and Registration written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. A 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 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 that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate education interests. A school official is a person employed by EMU 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 EMU has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; 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.

    Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student 'seeks or intends to enroll. The University may, without the student's permission, release certain information to parents or guardians of students under the age of 21 found responsible for violating any law, rule or university policy pertaining to drugs or alcohol.

    Right to Non-Disclosure of Public or Directory Information:
    • EMU has designated the following items as directory information and these items may be included in publications or disclosed upon request without consent: the student's name; electronic-mail address; enrollment status, major field of study; participation in recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received (including, but not limited to, the Dean's List); and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
    • EMU reserves the right to make directory information public unless a student's written objection (specifying the category of information not to be made public without prior consent) is filed at the Office of Records and Registration within 14 days after each term begins.
    Directory Exclusion:
    • Students who do not want to be included in the annual EMU Student Directory or the online directory should complete a Directory Exclusion form and return it to the Records and Registration Office, 303 Pierce Hall. The forms must be turned in by September 15 to be excluded from that academic year's printed directory and all subsequent directories.
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by EMU 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 To Request that directory information remain confidential. Complete and return the Confidentiality Request Form.