According to the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) all records which directly relate to a student and are maintained by the University or by any office acting for the University, with certain limited exceptions, are defined as educational records.

The official student educational record (including transcript) is maintained by the registrar=s office. In addition, many other University offices, such as Student Life and academic offices, create and hold documents or copies of documents which are considered part of the student educational record under the definition of the FERPA. The law gives current and former students the right to inspect, review, and challenge the content of their own educational records, and prohibits the release of Apersonally identifiable records@ without consent, except under limited circumstances. When permission is granted and information is released to a third party, the third party may not further disseminate the information without permission.

In addition, student records are generated by non-academic offices such as Student Financial Services, Enrollment Services, and Student Life. Records retention schedules have been developed for most such entities. If questions arise, please consult the University Archivist.

It is the responsibility of the offices generating student educational records to maintain and grant or limit access to student records in accordance with FERPA and University regulations. Disposition is according to the established retention schedules of the University.