FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 was developed to protect the privacy of education records, establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the Act.

The Privacy Act permits the University to release, without student consent, directory information. Directory information includes the student’s name, address (including email), telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most previous educational agency or institution attended.

Even though Spring Arbor University may provide directory information based on FERPA, it is the institutional policy to not provide student directory information to organizations or companies for the purpose of mailing lists or solicitation except as required by law.

As a student, you have the right to restrict the institution from releasing your directory information. If you choose to restrict such release, you need to sign a Directory Information Hold form. The form is available in the Office of Registration and Records. Forms must be completed and returned to Registration and Records by the close of the second week of classes for a particular semester.

University policy explains in detail the procedures to be used by the institution for full compliance with the provisions of the Act. Copies of the policy can be obtained at the Office of Registration and Records. This office also maintains a directory of records that lists all education records maintained on students by this institution. Questions concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act may be directed to the office of Registration and Records.