FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

A. Records Inspection

A student has the right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day a college receives such request. A student should submit to the Registrar, Dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate official a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The appropriate official will arrange 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 college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

B. Amendment of Records

A student has the right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask a college to amend a record should write the college official responsible for the record, identify the specific part of the record that the student wants changed, and specify the reason why it should be so changed. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested, the college will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a meeting regarding that decision.

C. Student’s Right to Prevent Disclosure

A student has the right to provide written consent before a college discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA or other laws authorize disclosure without such consent.

D. Complaints

A student with questions or concerns about the student’s rights and a college’s responsibilities should promptly inform the appropriate college student services official. A student also has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA by contacting the:

Full MCCS FERPA Policy