Gwynedd Mercy University 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
COMPLIANCE
FERPA Rights and Policy Notice The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) is a Federal law which was enacted in order to protect students ' education records at all schools that receive funds under a program of the U . S . Department of Education . This document provides a summary of this law .
Rights of the Student or Parent FERPA gives a student ' s parents certain rights over the student ' s education records until the student reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level . At that time , the rights are transferred from the parents to the eligible student . These rights enable the eligible student or parents to :
• Privacy of personally identifiable information in the student ’ s education records , except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent .
• Inspect and review the student ' s education records maintained by the school . If the student and parents are unable to review the records at the school , they can request copies from the school ( and may be charged a fee for them ). Requests to review educational records must be directed to the Registrar and must identify , as specific as possible , the record ( s ) that the student wishes to inspect . The Registrar will contact the appropriate record custodian in the University who will make those records available to the student as soon as possible but no later than 45 days from the date of the request . The University has the right to refuse student access to records under certain circumstances .
• Request that a school correct the student ' s records if they believe they are incorrect or misleading . If the school chooses not to update the student ' s records , the student or parent has a right to a formal hearing . If , after the hearing , the school still decides not to modify the student ' s records , the parent or student can include a statement in the records which contests the information .
Educational Records Educational records are defined by FERPA as records that are directly related to a student and maintained by the University or a party acting for the University . FERPA does not specify the format of the educational record , therefore , educational records may include video , photo , or audio recordings of virtual classes . Note : If the recording includes identifiable audio or images of students asking questions , making presentations , engaging in discussion , or leading a class ( other than TAs ) then the portions containing recordings of the student do constitute protected student education records .
Exceptions to the definition of an educational record includes records kept in the sole possession of the maker and used only as a personal memory aid , law enforcement records , employment records , medical ( including mental health ) records and any other exceptions outlined by FERPA . Neither FERPA nor this policy applies to records of applicants ( unless they enroll at the University ) and / or deceased persons .
When a School Does Not Need Written Consent Generally , a school must have written permission from the parent or student before releasing any information from the student ' s records . Schools can , however , disclose the student ' s records without the student ' s or parent ' s consent to any of the following parties or under any of the following conditions : School officials with legitimate educational interest
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