FERPA

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) gives students the following rights:

1. the right to review their education records and request corrections of inaccurate records
2. the right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their educational record
3. the right of nondisclosure of designated directory information
4. the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education

Ohio University advises students of their FERPA rights in an annual notice.

At the university level, the FERPA rights belong to the student, even if the student is a minor. Students wishing to share their grades with their parents or guardians may arrange to have their grades emailed to their parents or guardians via this website. Here is a more general consent form.

There are several exceptions to the right to consent to disclosure of education records, meaning that the university may disclose personally identifiable information without consent. The exceptions most relevant to parents and guardians are the following:

• Ohio University may share education records with university officials who need access to the records in order to fulfill their responsibilities.
• The university may share “directory information.” Directory information is information contained in education records that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed and includes information such as name, major, year of study, address, phone number, and email address. Students not wishing to have their directory information disclosed may complete a Confidentiality Status Request Form.
• The university may share information with parents of dependent students as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify for this exemption, parents and guardians must complete a Certificate of Dependency Form.
• The university may – and does – notify parents and guardians when a student under the age of twenty-one, with less than ninety credit hours, is found responsible for an alcohol or drug violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• The university may share information in the event of a health or safety emergency.

Parents and guardians seeking additional information may wish to visit Registrar-FERPA or review applicable law.