Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

The University may disclose, without consent, "directory" information.  Central Connecticut State University identifies directory information in its University Catalog to include: student's name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, class standing, academic major and degree (s) earned.  Additional information that is also considered directory information includes participation in officially recognized activities and sports, the weight and height of members of an athletic team and any awards received.

CCSU eligible students have the right to inspect and review their education records maintained by the school. The University is not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for eligible students to review the records. The University may charge a fee for copies.

Eligible students have the right to request that a school correct a record that they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view
about the contested information.

Generally, the University must have written permission from the eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows the University to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

• University officials with legitimate educational interest;

  • University officials include but are not limited to people employed by the University in Administrative, Supervisory, academic, research, or support staff positions; people or companies, such as attorneys, auditors, collection agencies or the National Student Clearinghouse, with whom the University has contracted; members of the System Office of Connecticut State Universities; university volunteers; students serving on an official committee or assisting another university official in performing tasks.

  • A university official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill professional responsibilities.

• Other institutions to which a student is transferring;

• Accrediting organizations;

• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.