Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

Student Forms

• Release of Information (pdf)
  This form allows a student to name person(s) who have direct access and permission to view, modify or release student records in the behalf of the student. The form clearly indicates the process to follow. Contact a Registrar's Office official for details if necessary.
• Privacy of Directory (Public) Information (pdf)
  Used to place or release a Privacy Hold on student records. A student who invokes their right to privacy completely disallows ALL others from viewing their student records indefinitely. This action requires ALL transactions with the student to occur face-to-face with Photo ID at Utah State University. Privacy Holds may be invoked or removed by visiting the Registrar's Office in person.

FERPA Tutorial for Faculty and Staff

Please click on the links below to take the online FERPA Tutorial.  This is an audio presentation, so please plug in your headphones or turn on your speakers. To record your participation, follow the instructions at the end of the tutorial.

FERPA Tutorial w/ Audio (flash)

General Information

This law, commonly referred to as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment, (1) provides that students will have access to inspect and review their educational records and (2) protects the rights of a student to privacy by limiting access to the educational record without express written consent.

Definitions

A student is defined as any individual who is attending or has attended Utah State University. (Note: Certain rights are extended to the parent(s) of a dependent student, where dependency is defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.) *

An educational record is any record (1) directly related to a student, and (2) maintained by Utah State University or by an agent of the University.

Notices

With respect to a student's educational records, FERPA affords a student the right:

1. To inspect and review the student's educational records;
2. To request the amendment of the student's educational records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;
3. To consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent;
4. If a complaint cannot be resolved within the University, to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by Utah State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA;
5. The Student Records Policy and Procedures for Utah State University is available in the General Catalog.

Categories of records

There are two categories of educational records under FERPA. Directory information (or releasable information) is general information that may be released to anyone without consent of the student, unless the student indicates otherwise. Personally identifiable information (or non releasable information) includes all information not defined as directory information and may not generally be released without consent of the student. The following is considered releasable information/directory information at Utah State University:

Name
User ID (A-Number)
Local & Permanent Address
Electronic Mail Address
Telephone Number
Most Recent Institution Attended
Date of Birth
Residency Status
Degrees & Awards Received
Academic Level
Major Field of Study
Department and/or College
Enrollment Status (Undergraduate or Graduate, Full-time or Part-time)
Participation in Official Activities/Sports
Dates of Attendance & Graduation
Weight/Height of Members of Athletic Teams
Photographs

Directory information is considered public information. However, the University does not release lists of students or name-and-address labels or e-mail lists to businesses or agencies outside the University.

Students may control the release of directory information by completing forms at the Registrar's Office. Students may remove a Privacy Hold by visiting the Registrar's Office in person. Students accessing educational records must provide identification. It is important to note that for educational purposes, University Officials have access to all student records. For additional information contact the Registrar's Office TSC 246 or (435) 797-1116. 

FERPA Links

Notification of Rights Under FERPA - USU General Catalog

U.S. Department of Education FERPA Site