FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and the Release of Student Information
The Institute may release the following directory information upon request: student’s name; IWP e-mail address, dates of attendance, and any degrees, certificates, or awards received. Directory information may be disclosed without student consent. However, students have the right to refuse the release of their directory information. Any student who does not wish directory information released must file written notice to this effect in the Office of the Registrar. (Click here for the Confidentiality Request Form: Non-Disclosure Request Form ) In this case, directory information will not be disclosed except with the consent of the student or as otherwise allowed by FERPA.
Student Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education record within 45 days of the day the Institute receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, Dean, Head of the academic department, or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The IWP official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the IWP official to whom the request was submitted does not maintain the records, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the Institute to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the IWP official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If IWP decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, IWP will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. (Click here for the Student Consent to Disclosure Form: FERPA Release Form) One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the Institute has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the Institute discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints should be filed in writing to the following address:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920