Compliance Chat #15 - What You Need to Know About FERPA: Protecting Student Privacy
August 23, 2024
Imagine if your personal academic records could be accessed by anyone without your consent. Scary, right? This is where the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) steps in as a guardian of student privacy. FERPA is crucial because it ensures that students have control over who sees their educational information, safeguarding their privacy and security.
For university employees, understanding and complying with FERPA is not just a legal obligation but a commitment to protecting students’ rights and fostering a trustworthy educational environment. Both students and employees should care about FERPA because it empowers students and maintains the integrity of the educational system.
In this , Mary Gower is joined by university registrars Lindsey Chadwell, Trisha Lee, and Holly McDonald to discuss FERPA. The registrars explain the importance of limiting access to student records, obtaining written consent before disclosing information, and ensuring the security of student records. They also address specific scenarios, such as handling records for students under 18, peer reviews, and letters of recommendation. The Chat aims to provide clear guidelines to ensure compliance with FERPA regulations and protect student privacy.
Interested in trying to win a prize? After watching this Compliance Chat answer the question:
Question: What type of consent does FERPA NOT acknowledge when disclosing personally identifiable information from student records?
Email your answer to ua-compliance@alaska.edu. A correct answer will be drawn at random to receive $20* at Amazon.com!
*Gift certificates are taxable. Responses due before September 31st, 2024.
Edited with AI Support