Do I have access to my student's academic records?

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): passed by Congress in 1974, and amended several times, the Act grants four specific rights to students 18 years of age and older:

• The right to see the information in their record;
• The right to amend their record or add a statement to their records;
• The right to consent to disclosure of his/her records; and
• The right to file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington

What is a Student Educational Record?

• Any record maintained by the institution about a student in any form.

What are the basic rules?

• Student educational records are considered confidential and may not be released without the written consent of the student.
• Faculty and staff members have a responsibility to protect records in their possession.
• You have access to information only for legitimate use in completion of your responsibilities as an university employee. Need to know is the basic principle.

More information on FERPA is available at http://fedinfo.truman.edu/ferpa.htm.