Confidentiality

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, and to ensure maximum safeguards of information contained in students' personal records, the University will disclose information of a confidential nature only to the student, to a parent/guardian claiming that student as a dependent (as demonstrated through provision of a copy of the parent/guardian's most recent federal income tax return), or to a third party upon receipt of an original written release signed by the student concerned.

Disclosure is permitted under FERPA without consent to school officials with a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; a development officer conducting fundraising to benefit the educational mission of the University; or another person assisting a school official in performing his or her tasks. Disclosure is also permitted to organizations conducting studies for educational and governmental agencies; accrediting agencies; appropriate persons in case of health or safety emergencies; agencies or offices in connection with the student's applications for or receipt of financial aid; governmental officials as identified by Public Law 93-380; and an appropriate official in response to a court order or subpoena.

Without a signed release, the University can make only "directory information'' available for public use in campus directories, publicity of events, honors, and the like. For more information, see the Records section of the Bulletin.