FERPA

ferpa.png Student educational records are PRIVATE! This is guaranteed by federal law called FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974). Richland fully complies with this law and works hard to ensure that records are kept private and accurate.  

Under FERPA, students have three basic rights:

  1. The right to inspect and review their educational records.
  2. The right to challenge and require a college to amend any portion of a record that is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise violates privacy rights.
  3. The right to require Richland to obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personal information (with some exceptions – see “Directory Information” below).

Who is protected under FERPA?

Current and former students are protected - no matter how old they are. At the college level, even parents do not have unrestricted access to their child’s records. The right to inspect records is limited solely to the student, except under the following specific circumstances: (1) through the written consent of the student (see below), (2) in compliance with a subpoena, or (3) by producing a copy of the most recent Federal Income Tax form showing that the student was claimed as a dependent.

What are education records?

While there are some exceptions, an “education record” is any Richland record that can personally identify a student. This includes records in any format (handwritten notes, computer files, printed material, e-mails, pictures, videos, audio tapes, etc.) that are in the possession of any Richland official.

Directory Information

Directory Information is not considered harmful if disclosed, and may be released by the college without the student’s consent. The following items have been established by the college as directory information:

  • Name, address, telephone number and email
  • Photograph
  • Date and place of birth
  • Major field of study
  • Dates of attendance
  • Grade level
  • Participation in officially-recognized activities
  • HCertificates or degree(s) conferred (including dates)
  • Honors and awards received
  • Most recent educational institution attended
  • Student ID number that cannot be used to access education records without a PIN, password, etc.

However, students do have the ability to restrict the release of Directory Information by completing a “Request to Opt Out of Directory Information” form in the Records Office. Once restricted, this information will not be released without your written consent. This also prevents your name from appearing in the newspaper for honors, graduation and/or other awards or in the graduation program.

What is the procedure for sharing confidential information?

Students can choose to let a Richland representative (an instructor, administrator or staff member) discuss their educational records with a third party (i.e., a parent, employer, etc.). In order to do this, the student must complete the “FERPA Waiver” on myRichland (My Student InfoàAcademic InformationàFERPA WaiveràCreate Student Information Release Authorization).

For more information on FERPA

To learn more about your rights under FERPA, contact the Richland Registrar at (217) 875-7211, ext 284 or registrar@richland.edu.

FERPA Handout

Feel free to print or save this information for quick reference in the future - Download Richland Community College FERPA student guide.pdf