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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
To comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, the administration of
Oglethorpe University informs the students of their rights under
this act. The law affords students rights of access to educational
records and protects students from the release and disclosure of
those records to third parties. Educational records are those
records, files and other materials that contain information directly
related to a student's academic progress, financial status, medical
condition, etc., and are maintained by the university or a party
acting on behalf of the university.
Educational Records
Educational records are defined as those records created to assist
the offices of academic divisions, admission, business, evening
degree program, financial aid, president, provost, registrar,
student affairs and institutional research in their support of basic
institutional objectives and any records identified by student name
that contain personally identifiable information in any medium.
Educational records, with the exception of those designated as
directory information (described below), may not be released without
the written consent of the student to any individual, agency or
organization other than the following authorized personnel or
situations:
- parents, if student is a dependent as defined by Section 152
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954;
- Oglethorpe University faculty and staff who have an
educational interest in the student;
- officials of other schools in which the student seeks to
enroll (transcripts);
- certain government agencies specified in the legislation;
- an accrediting agency in carrying out its function;
- in emergency situations where the health or safety of the
student or others is involved;
- educational surveys where individual identification is
withheld;
- in response to a judicial order;
- in a campus directory after the student has deletion
options;
- in connection with financial aid.
A student may request, in writing, an opportunity to review the
official educational records maintained by the university.
Educational records excluded from student access are:
- confidential letters and statements of recommendation which
were placed in the record before January 1, 1975;
- medical and psychological information;
- private notes and procedural matters retained by the maker
or substitutes;
- financial records of parents or guardian.
Students may challenge any data in their educational record that
is considered to be inaccurate or misleading. The student must
submit the challenge in writing as stated below.
For more information about educational records maintained by the
university, please contact the registrar.
Student’s Written Consent to Release Educational Records
Written consent by the student to release educational records to a
third party must specify the records to be released and the
recipient of such records. Request forms for the release of
appropriate records are available in each office containing
educational records.
Notification of Parents
Parents may obtain non-directory information (grades, GPA, etc.)
only at the discretion of the institution and after it has been
determined that their child is legally their dependent. Oglethorpe
University recognizes the importance of support and interest of
parents and families of students in all areas of the college
program. Students are encouraged to share information about their
experience and programs with their families. In keeping with that
philosophy, it is not Oglethorpe University’s policy to disclose
non-directory information based solely on dependent status. Parents
may also acquire non-directory information by obtaining and
presenting a signed consent from their child. |
