Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at Binghamton
University
The basics Faculty and Teaching Assistants need to know
The Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a Federal law that protects the privacy
of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds
under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. It is also
known as the Buckley Amendment.
- Student's have the right to inspect, review and challenge the accuracy of
his/her education records. Education records are those records which contain
information directly related to the student and are maintained by the University
or by a party acting for the University.
- Student records will not be released to the general public or to those outside
the University without student consent. The only exception to this is "directory"
information which Binghamton University defines and communicates to the students
via the Student Handbook.
Our directory information includes name, address and telephone number, e-mail
address, class level, degree information (including associated majors, minors,
and certificates), dates of attendance, and full or part time status.
- Directory information can be released without the student's consent UNLESS
the student has requested directory exclusion status. Students can request
directory exclusion status through the Registrar's Office. This status means
the student's name and other information is excluded from the printed directory
and the online "people"
search. It also means the University will not release ANY information about
the student without a signed release from the student. This status remains
on the student's record indefinitely until the student requests in writing
to the Registrar's Office that it be removed.
What does this mean in regards to how we handle class information?
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This means that we must not make any of the following
available
to the general public or other students:
- class lists
- petition cards
- grade sheets
- anything with student SSNs or GPAs
- other forms with student information
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We can not project information on a screen in class or post information on
doors or walls. We can not leave exams or papers in hallways for students to
pick up. Student educational records, including Social Security numbers (whole
or partial), class schedules, grades, GPAs and anything else not explicitly
defined as directory information are all protected by law and must not be made
available to anyone but the student.
Still have questions?
Check out the U.S.
Department of Education's Web site about FERPA
Ask the Binghamton University Registar's
Office
View a FERPA for Faculy and Staff PowerPoint
presentation
This page was last updated/reviewed on 8/2/2006
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