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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (PL93-380), commonly referred to as FERPA, provides that all records pertaining to a student that are maintained by the college must be open to inspection by the student and may not be made available to any other person without the written authorization of the student. FERPA allows the college to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions:

    • School officials with legitimate educational interest
    • Other schools to which a student is transferring
    • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
    • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
    • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
    • Accrediting organizations
    • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
    • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
    • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law

Visit ACC’s FERPA website for more information.

 

FERPA and Security, Confidentiality, and Integrity of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. FERPA governs 1) release of these records (known as educational records) maintained by an educational institution and 2) access to these records.

As an employee of Austin Community College, you may be authorized to have access to student records. The confidentiality, use and release of student records are governed by FERPA. Your utilization of this information also depends on the nature of the duties and responsibilities associated with your position.  Your job places you in a position of trust, and in this respect you play an integral part in ensuring that student information is handled properly. Students have a right to expect that their academic records are being treated with all due care and respect.

In general, all student information must be treated as confidential. Even public or “directory” information is subject to restrictions on an individual basis.  Directory information is defined and listed inside the College Catalog, the course schedules, and on the website.  Any requests for disclosure of information, including defined directory items, especially outside the College, should be referred to the Public Information Officer.  The release of confidential information contained in a student’s educational records without the written consent of the person identified on the document is in violation of FERPA.