FERPA/Privacy Rights Policy

Owned by Robert White
Mar 15, 2020
2 min read

What is FERPA?

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1074 (FERPA), as amended, is a federal law that sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. FERPA governs the release of records maintained by an educational institution and access to those records. Institutions that receive funds administered by the Federal Office of Education are bound by FERPA requirements and failure to comply may result in the loss of federal funding.

What are Education Records?

Under FERPA, education records are defined as records that are directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency, institution, or party acting for the agency or institution. Education records can exist in any medium, including, but not limited to: typewritten, handwritten, computer-generated, videotape, audiotape, film, microfilm, microfiche, and email.

Access to Student Records

The University of Utah may not disclose information contained in education records without the student's consent, except under certain limited conditions. For example, the University may disclose what is considered to be "directory" information unless the student has restricted disclosure of such information with the Registrar's Office.

Directory Information at the University of Utah is defined as:

  • Student's name, address, or telephone number

  • Student ID number

  • Class standing

  • Field of study

  • Participation in officially recognized activities or sports

  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams

  • Dates of attendance

  • Degrees and awards received

  • Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended

  • Email address

  • Enrollment status

  • Photograph

Parents Requesting Information

When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a post-secondary institution, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer to the student. Concerns such as progress in a course, deficiencies in a subject area, scores and grades on papers, exams, etc. are all examples of personally identifiable information that constitute part of the student's education record. This information is protected under FERPA and parents may not have access unless the student provides authorization that specifically identifies that information may be released to the parent(s).

Crisis Situations/Emergencies

If non-directory information is needed to resolve a crisis or emergency situation, an educational institution may release that information if the institution determines that the information is "necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals." Factors considered in making this assessment are: the severity of the threat tot he health or safety of those involved; the need for the information; the time required to deal with the emergency; and the ability of the parties to whom the information is to be given to deal with the emergency. Requests of this nature should be directed to the Office of the Registrar, 801-581-5808.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/ferpa.php