FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a Federal law that protects the rights of students by defining who has access to student educational records.  Educational records are all records that 1.) are maintained by the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and 2.) are related to the student.

When your student was in elementary, middle, and high school, FERPA gave you, as the parent, the right to access and control your student’s educational records.

Now that your student is in college, these same laws transfer ownership of the educational records directly to the student; therefore, parents have no inherent rights to view, change, or control the student’s educational records.

But What If I Want Access?

Your student can give you two types of access to his/her educational records, so it is important that you communicate your desire for access with your student.

First, your student may grant you viewing access to their GROWL account by setting you up as an “Authorized User”.  This type of access permits you to view designated components of your student’s educational records, such as grades, billing statements, and payments. 

Second, your student may grant you access to verbally discuss his/her educational records as they pertain to Financial Aid, Housing, and Student Business Services. For either authorization (viewing or verbal), your student must log into GROWL and go to “Authorization” to set up your access.

Will I be Contacted if My Student is Sick, Hurt, or in Academic Difficulty?

In most cases, the University will not contact you or provide medical, academic, or disciplinary information without your student’s permission. In the case of an extreme emergency, where the health of your son or daughter is in serious jeopardy, or if there is a concern that he/she poses a threat to him or herself or to someone else, the University may contact you. As a general guideline, if your student is able to communicate about a situation, it is up to him/her to decide how and with whom to discuss.

How Can I Learn More about FERPA?

For more information, go to:
FERPA
UCR FERPA information