The Basics
What year was the FERPA put into place?
1974
Records directly related to a student that are personally identifiable and are maintained by the institution or a party acting for the institution are called:
Education Records
Which agencies must comply with FERPA?
All education institutions and agencies (even K-12)
Notes that are made and kept by one individual and are not accessible to all are not subject to FERPA. These notes are called:
Sole Possession Notes (However, if you share them, they are no longer exempt and can be released if requested)
Which office do I contact if I mistakenly commit a violation?
Office of the Registrar at registration@barnesjewishcolllege.edu. Also, please contact us if you suspect someone else has committed a violation or you think a violation may occur.
Where can you find the GSON official FERPA policy?
It is located on the GSON Website under Student Consumer Information. Student rights under FERPA are also outlined in the Student Handbook.
What is FERPA an acronym for?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Yes or No: In order to receive Federal funds under any program administered by the DOE, entities must comply with FERPA.
Yes! Some examples of funding include Title IV aid, Federal grants for research projects, etc.
Does student directory information have to be released to a third party?
No. Third party entities are not entitled even to directory information. Just because we can release it, does not mean we always should release it.
What happens if an institution is found with a FERPA violation?
The institution can lose their Title IV funding
Is there a way for students to designate someone with whom college officials can interact?
Yes. GSON allows students to designate releasees that can interact with college officials, by filling out the FERPA Release of Information Authorization Form.
The demonstrated "need to know" by school officials who act in a students' educational interest is known as:
Legitimate Educational Interest
Yes or No: FERPA requires institutions to send an Annual Notification of Rights to all students.
Yes.
The Solomon Amendment is a federal law that mandates educational institutions provide student information to which entities?
Military Recruiters - these requests should also be sent through the Registrar/Registration Department.
Who is the FERPA Privacy Officer at GSON?
The Registrar
FERPA is sometimes referred to as __________, after its congressional author.
The Buckley Amendment (fun fact, he was also the first Republican to call for Nixon's resignation)
Information contained in an education record of a student "that would not generally be considered harmful" or an invasion of privacy if disclosed is called:
Directory Information
If a student's record is marked Confidential, can you still give out directory information?
No. If a student's record is marked confidential, they have filled out a FERPA form and selected "Yes" to preventing the release of their directory information.
Are postsecondary institutions required to provide information to military recruiters at their request?
Yes, but please send them our way...
GSON has how many days to establish an appointment/provide access so a student can review their official records?
45 days which is in alignment with the Federal requirement.
What does FERPA govern?
The release of records maintained by the College and access to those records
At what point is one protected under FERPA at GSON?
Once a student has been admitted to GSON and a learner record has been created, they are protected under FERPA regardless of their registration status.
FERPA requires universities to have a way for students to opt out of directory information release. What is this called at UMES?
Privacy Restriction. The forms can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.
Yes or No: Providing lists of students who are eligible for honors society membership or to alumni foundation is a violation of FERPA.
NO. UMES employees who serve as the contact for an honor society or a foundation CAN have access to do your job, but you cannot distribute these records to outside parties.
List 3 things you can do on a daily basis to reduce the likelihood of a FERPA violation.
There are many tips and tricks you can do to protect student privacy and data. Let's hear some of your great ideas!