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.

Further information regarding FERPA:

For Students - link to Student Handbook. Refer to section on 'Records Access'

For Faculty - link to page describing important implications of FERPA for instructors

For Staff - link to powerpoint presentation outlining implications of FERPA for staff

Registrar's Office Web Page

Last updated 8/2/2006