Student Records

 

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

      Gallaudet University follows the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) regarding student records. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their educational 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, dean, head of academic department, or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The 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 educational 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 identifying 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 educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University 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 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 performance of 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.

      Directory information (name, home address, local address, class, year, major, verification of enrollment, height and weight (athletics) may be released to anyone upon request. Students who do not wish this information to be available may request in writing to have their names removed from the directory. Such requests should be made to the Office of Records Management.

      The University must release official records upon subpoena or court order. The University will attempt to notify the student that the records are being released.

      Information from student records may be released to parents who financially support a student (under IRS regulations).

 

      4.  The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education

            concerning alleged failures by Gallaudet 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

                        400 Maryland Avenue, SW

                        Washington, DC 20202-4605

 

INFORMATION INCLUDED AND

EXCLUDED FROM STUDENT RECORDS

      Only information directly related to the educational process is maintained in student records. Official student records do not include references to political or social beliefs and practices. Students may list memberships in professional associations, honorary societies, or student activities as part of their student records. Memberships in other organizations not listed by the student will not be included in student records.

      Medical records, mental health records, and parents’ financial statements are not subject to this law. Such records are confidential and privileged and may not be reviewed or seen by anyone except as provided by applicable law of the District of Columbia and the Federal government.