Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

MCC guarantees the following rights to eligible students pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

• The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit written requests to the Registrar’s office and identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. Staff makes arrangements for access and notifies students of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the requested records are not maintained in the Registrar’s Office, students are notified of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• The right to request that the College amend an education record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. Students who wish to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading should write to the Registrar’s Office that maintains the record in question, clearly identify the part of the record they believe is inaccurate or misleading and specify why they believe that it is inaccurate or misleading.

If, after thorough review, MCC denies the request to amend the record, the College notifies students of the decision and advises students of their rights to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. MCC provides students with additional information regarding the hearing when MCC sends out the hearing notification.

• The right to consent, or withhold consent, to disclosure of personally identifiable protected information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes or mandates disclosure without student consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests in the record. A school official is: a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities. Upon request, MCC may also disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: U.S. Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-8520

Metropolitan Community College will not disclose any personally identifiable information about students (except directory information listed below, at the discretion of the College) without the written consent of the student. Each student, however, has the right to restrict the release of this information by sending a written request to the Registrar’s Office. MCC directory information may include, at the discretion of the College:

• Student Name
• MCC email address
• Credit Hour status (full or part time for the term)
• Start and end dates of attendance (Start date of first quarter of when classes were taken and end date of the last quarter when classes were completed only)
• Degrees, honors and awards received
• Major field of study
• Photographs, audios and videos of students participating in official school activities and events*

Once a student restricts the release of their information:

• All address changes must be made in person with a form of ID;
• No information can be given to friends or relatives trying to locate a student through MCC;
• Information as to student status is suppressed, so loan companies, prospective employers, family member, etc., are informed that MCC has no record of the student's attendance; and
• The graduation program or any other official publication will not contain the student's name.

*In consideration of acceptance of enrollment, students authorize Metropolitan Community College to use their image, likeness, name and comments in, but not limited to, photographs, videos and audio recordings created or used for the purposes of publicity/marketing and advertising for the College.

What is considered directory information?
Directory information means information contained in an educational record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information may include, but is not limited to, the student’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. An institution is entitled to determine what directory information it will release and what directory information it will not release according to its own policies. A student may request, in writing, that the institution withhold all of their directory information.

When is someone considered a student at MCC?
Student, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable statute or regulation, means any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution and regarding whom the agency or institution maintains educational records.

As soon as someone registers for a class at MCC, they are considered a student.

For dual enrollment students: For dual enrollment students, the students’ postsecondary records must be treated by MCC like any other MCC student, and his/her records may only be provided to parents as allowed by the FERPA guidelines. Educational records relating solely to the students’ K-12 activities can be released to parents without the student’s consent (as long as the student is 17 years of age or younger).  

According to the Department of Education, “If a student is attending a postsecondary institution—at any age—the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information relating to that student. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.” All such requests shall be directed to the participating high school not the college.

Can a student give verbal permission for a parent to access their records?
No, in order for parents to have access to a student’s records or perform any transactions on a student’s behalf, a signed release form (Authorization to Release Student Information) must be on file with the College or the student must qualify as a dependent under the guidelines of 34 C.F.R. §99.31 and a permission note must be added to the student’s electronic record in MCC’s database.

I’ve already signed an Authorization to Release Student Information form, why don’t you have that information?
The Registrar's Office may not yet have the form. Once the Registrar's Office receives the form, it takes up to five days to process. Contact the Registrar's Office at 531-MCC-2353 to check on the status of your form.

Are there separate waivers for giving verbal and written information?
No, MCC utilizes the Authorization to Release Student Information form for both verbal and written information.

What information can be given using email? What kind of verification?
According to the MCC FERPA policy, a request for non-directory information received via MCC email is acceptable; however, the information released can only pertain to the student to whom the MCC email address is assigned. For example, if a student contacts a faculty member about a grade, the faculty member may email the grade to the student’s MCC email account.

I've lost my official transcript from a previously attended college. I had one sent to MCC. May I have a copy?
No, we do not provide copies of official transcripts received from other institutions to students. A student must contact their former institution to request a transcript.

A student owes money to the College. He/she believes that that according to FERPA he/she has the rights to have his/her transcripts released. Is this true?
No, FERPA protects students from unauthorized release of information and guides the College in understanding who is authorized to receive such information. It also allows an institution to withhold a transcript from being released to a third party if a student has a financial obligation to it. The student may view his/her records, but the College is permitted to withhold its release to a third party until the student has fulfilled his/her financial obligation to the College.

Who has access to a student’s academic records?
The conditions under which prior consent is not required to disclose protected educational information are set forth in 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

Does MCC have to share information with a third party?
It depends. An institution is required to release protected educational information to certain third parties in certain prescribed circumstances pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

What are the consequences for violating FERPA?
An individual who believes that their rights under FERPA have been violated may file a complaint with the United States Department of Education.

What is considered directory information?
Directory information means information contained in an educational record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information may include, but is not limited to, the student’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. An institution is entitled to determine what directory information it will release and what directory information it will not release according to its own policies. A student may request, in writing, that the institution withhold all of their directory information.

When is someone considered a student at MCC?
Student, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable statute or regulation, means any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution and regarding whom the agency or institution maintains educational records.

As soon as someone registers for a class at MCC, they are considered a student.

I am paying for my child to attend Metropolitan Community College, so why am I not allowed to have access to their information? Also, why can’t you tell me if my child is still registered for a particular class?
According to FERPA, the College can only release an eligible student’s non-directory information with his/her written permission. In order to release non-directory information, the student must first fill out an Authorization to Release Student Information form.

A parent can access his/her child’s protected educational records in certain circumstances if he/she is a considered a dependent and they meet the requirements set forth in 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

For dual enrollment students: For dual enrollment students, the students’ postsecondary records must be treated by MCC like any other MCC student, and his/her records may only be provided to parents as allowed by the FERPA guidelines. Educational records relating solely to the students’ K-12 activities can be released to parents without the student’s consent (as long as the student is 17 years of age or younger).

According to the Department of Education, “If a student is attending a postsecondary institution—at any age—the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information relating to that student. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.” All such requests shall be directed to the participating high school not the college.

My child has already signed an Authorization to Release Student Information form, why don’t you have that information?
The Registrar's Office may not yet have the form. Once the Registrar's Office receives the form, it takes up to five days to process. Contact the Registrar's Office at 531-MCC-2353 to check on the status of his/her form.     

Are there separate waivers for giving verbal and written information?
No, MCC utilizes the Authorization to Release Student Information form for both verbal and written information.

I would like to register my child for several classes. Can I do this?
Only with the proper release form (Authorization to Release Student Information) indicating that you, the parent, may do so.

Who has access to a student’s academic records?
The conditions under which prior consent is not required to disclose protected educational information are set forth in 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

What information can be given to a person who says he/she is a parent of a student? What proof or ID would a parent need to present?
Unless the student has submitted the Authorization to Release Student Information form giving written permission for his/her parent to access his/her educational records or they meet the requirements of 34 C.F.R. §99.31, the College cannot release non-directory information to that individual. Once an Authorization to Release Student Information form has been submitted and notated in the system, the parent would need to present a photo ID if they request information in person.

Your child owes money to the College. He/she believes that that according to FERPA he/she has the rights to have his/her transcripts released. Is this true?
No, FERPA protects students from unauthorized release of information and guides the College in understanding who is authorized to receive such information. It also allows an institution to withhold a transcript from being released to a third party if a student has a financial obligation to it. The student may view his/her records, but the College is permitted to withhold its release to a third party until the student has fulfilled his/her financial obligation to the College.

Does FERPA apply if a student is deceased?
No, a student’s rights under FERPA cease once a student is deceased. Each institution may implement its own policy regarding the release of protected information regarding a deceased student. Individuals named by the court as executor, executrix, personal representative or who have been granted similar standing in relation to the decedent’s estate may have the same access to the deceased student’s protected educational information as the student would have had.

What are the consequences for violating FERPA?
An individual who believes that their rights under FERPA have been violated may file a complaint with the United States Department of Education.

What is considered directory information?

Directory information means information contained in an educational record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information may include, but is not limited to, the student’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. An institution is entitled to determine what directory information it will release and what directory information it will not release according to its own policies. A student may request, in writing, that the institution withhold all of their directory information.

When is someone considered a student at MCC?

Student, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable statute or regulation, means any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution and regarding whom the agency or institution maintains educational records.

As soon as someone registers for a class at MCC, they are considered a student.

For dual enrollment students: the students’ postsecondary records must be treated by MCC like any other MCC student, and his/her records may only be provided to parents as allowed by the FERPA guidelines. Educational records relating solely to the students’ K-12 activities can be released to parents without the student’s consent (as long as the student is 17 years of age or younger).

According to the Department of Education, “If a student is attending a postsecondary institution—at any age—the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information relating to that student. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.” All such requests shall be directed to the participating high school not the College.

Can a student give verbal permission for a parent to access their records?

No, in order for parents to have access to a student’s records or perform any transactions on a student’s behalf, a signed Authorization to Release Student Information form must be on file with the College or the student must qualify as a dependent under the guidelines of 34 C.F.R. §99.31 and a permission note must added to the student’s electronic record in MCC’s database.

What information can be given to a person who says he/she is a parent of a student? What proof or ID would a parent need to present?

Unless the student has submitted the Authorization to Release Student Information form giving written permission for his/her parent to access his/her educational records or they meet the requirements of 34 C.F.R. §99.31, the College cannot release non-directory information to that individual. Once an Authorization to Release Student Information form has been submitted and notated in the system, the parent would need to present a photo ID if they request information in person.

How do faculty know who has signed a waiver?

Faculty may view the information on the CRI screen in Colleague. If they do not have access to it, they may contact an academic associate, Student Services or Career and Academic Skills Center (CASC) on the Fort Omaha Campus for assistance. Faculty, or other College employees, should never provide protected information to anyone other than the student without first verifying that a release is on file and that the person requesting the information is named or referenced by class (parents, doctors, social workers, attorneys, etc) in the release.

Are there separate waivers for giving verbal and written information?

No, MCC utilizes the Authorization to Release Student Information form for both verbal and written information.

For phone inquiries:

For all inquiries from students or authorized individuals (where a release of information has been noted in CRI), make sure that you ask for the student’s sate of birth and the last four of their SSN or their student id. We need to make sure that we confirm the caller’s identity before we release any protected information.

If someone other than the student calls in, note the name of the caller (authorized individual) and what was verified in STRK.

For email inquiries:

According to MCC email policy, all email communications must be through a MCC email account. If you are communicating with a student, the student must communicate with MCC using his/her MCC email account. Students who use their MCC email account have already confirmed and validated their identity since they must have their username and password to access it and may inquiry about their record via email.

Since authorized individuals must confirm their identify by providing the student’s date of birth and the last four of their SSN or their student id, we ask that you follow up with a phone call instead of discussing protected information via email. We do not want to possibly compromise a student’s SSN by asking for it in an email. Once this is done, note the name of the authorized individual and the nature of the call in STRK.

For In-person Inquiries:

If a student is asking for protected information (unofficial transcript, schedule, etc.), make sure he/she presents a photo ID and confirms his/her identity. If an authorized individual is asking for a student’s information, make sure to confirm with that person the student’s Date of Birth and the last four of their SSN or their student ID.

If someone other than the student asks for protected information, note the name of the authorized individual and what was verified in STRK.

For all inquiries, if the authorized person does not know the last four of the SSN of the student, then you may ask other questions (such as the student’s class schedule or their home address) that may confirm that he/she does have a legitimate right to the student’s record.

What is the policy for leaving graded papers for students to pick up? Is it OK if the papers are in sealed envelopes with the name on the outside? How does a faculty receptionist know who is taking the paper?

Graded papers should not be left unattended as the student’s rights may be violated if someone picked up the wrong envelope and viewed its contents.

What is the policy for students correcting each other’s work in class—exchanging papers and grading them?

Students are allowed to grade each other’s work in class

Is it a violation of FERPA to conduct college business with a student via their personal email account?

It depends. There is no guarantee of confidentiality when sending an email to a student’s personal email account. All currently enrolled, credit students have a college provided email account which must be used by staff and faculty when conducting college business via email. Exceptions may be granted by the Director, IT Network Services or the Director, Manager of Information Services upon written request and authorization from the student and the appropriate College official. The written request and authorization must be placed and maintained in the student’s official College file in the Department of Records.

Can I email grades to my students?

It depends. According to the MCC FERPA policy, email is an acceptable method of notifying a student of his or her grade but only if the institutional email account is used to send and receive the grade. For example, an instructor needs to use his/her MCC email address to send the grade to the student at the student’s MCC email address.

Can I give a grade over the phone?

It is not advisable to give a grade over the phone unless you can be absolutely be sure that it is indeed the student or another authorized recipient on the other end of the line.

Does MCC have to share information with a third party?

It depends. An institution is required to release protected educational information to certain third parties in certain prescribed circumstances pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §99.31

Who has access to a student’s academic records?

The conditions under which prior consent is not required to disclose protected educational information are set forth in 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

What information may I release in crisis or emergency?

If the situation is imminent and poses a threat to the safety and health of the public, the MCC community or to the student, FERPA allows MCC officials to release protected educational information to appropriate individuals based on the circumstances (such as law enforcement officials, medically trained personnel and public health officials).

I'm a staff/faculty member and have been asked to do a welcome for a student success conference. I would like to mention a successful former student in my presentation. Do I need to have his/her permission first?

It depends. In order to protect a student’s FERPA rights, you would need to get his/her written permission if your presentation mentions any nondirectory information related to that student, such as GPA or academic history.

An employee from another institution calls asking about his/her daughter who is enrolled at MCC. Can we release any information to him/her?

No, the student’s educational rights must still be protected. We may release directory information to the parent; otherwise, the student needs to submit a written authorization to release nondirectory information to that parent.

A law enforcement officer is looking for a student to serve a warrant and is asking for the student’s class schedule. Can I provide it to him/her?

No, college policy is that all such requests are to be immediately directed to the Chief or Deputy Chief of the College Police Department. According to FERPA, non-directory information can only be provided to a law enforcement officer if they present a lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Otherwise, he/she cannot have access to a student’s educational records. Records maintained by the College’s Police Department are not a part of a student’s educational record and may be shared without prior authorization.

Does FERPA apply if a student is deceased?

No, a student’s rights under FERPA cease once a student is deceased. Each institution may implement its own policy regarding the release of protected information regarding a deceased student. Individuals named by the court as executor, executrix, personal representative or who have been granted similar standing in relation to the decedent’s estate may have the same access to the deceased student’s protected educational information as the student would have had.

What are the consequences for violating FERPA?

An individual who believes that their rights under FERPA have been violated may file a complaint with the United States Department of Education.

What is considered directory information?

Directory information means information contained in an educational record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information may include, but is not limited to, the student's name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities or sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. An institution is entitled to determine what directory information it will release and what directory information it will not release according to its own policies. A student may request, in writing, that the institution withhold all of their directory information.

 When is someone considered a student at MCC?

Student, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable statute or regulation, means any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution and regarding whom the agency or institution maintains educational records.

As soon as someone registers for a class at MCC, they are considered a student.

For dual enrollment students the students' postsecondary records must be treated by MCC like any other MCC student, and his/her records may only be provided to parents as allowed by the FERPA guidelines. Educational records relating solely to the students' K-12 activities can be released to parents without the student's consent (as long as the student is 17 years of age or younger).

According to the Department of Education, "If a student is attending a postsecondary institution—at any age—the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information relating to that student. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school." All such requests shall be directed to the participating high school not the college.

Q. Can a student give verbal permission for a parent to access their records?

No, in order for parents to have access to a student's records or perform any transactions on a student's behalf, a signed Authorization to Release Student Information form must be on file with the College or the student must qualify as a dependent under the guidelines of 34 C.F.R. §99.31 and a permission note must added to the student's electronic record in MCC's database.

Q. A parent stops by Student Services or Career and Academic Skills Center on the Fort Omaha Campus and wants to register her daughter for several classes. Can she do this?

Only with the proper Authorization to Release Student Information form indicating the parent may do so.

Q. Do MCC representatives need to see the waiver before giving any information?

Once an Authorization to Release Student Information form has been submitted and entered into the system, staff and faculty need only to check CRI in Colleague to see who is authorized to obtain information.

Q. Are there separate waivers for giving verbal and written information?

No, MCC utilizes the Authorization to Release Student Information form for both verbal and written information.

Q. Is it a violation of FERPA to conduct college business with a student via their personal email account (i.e. jsmith@yahoo.com)?

It depends. There is no guarantee of confidentiality when sending an email to a student's personal email account. All currently enrolled, credit students have a college provided email account which must be used by staff and faculty when conducting college business via email. Exceptions may be granted by the director, IT network services or the director, manager of Information Services upon written request and authorization from the student and the appropriate College official. The written request and authorization must be placed and maintained in the student's official College file in the Department of Records.

What information can be given over the phone? What kind of information is needed to verify who the MCC representative is speaking to? If the MCC representative knows a student and recognizes his/her voice, is it OK to give information?

It depends. Unless the MCC representative can absolutely verify* that the person on the other line is indeed the student or otherwise authorized individual (listed on the Authorization to Release Student Information form), it is best not to provide any non-directory information over the phone. The goal is to ensure that the student's FERPA rights are protected.

*Name, address, phone number, date of birth or Social Security number and possibly other student identification information will be asked to verify student identification before any protected educational information will be released over the phone.

For phone inquiries:

For all inquiries from students or authorized individuals (where a release of information has been noted in CRI), make sure that you ask for the student's Date of Birth and the last four of their SSN or their student id. We need to make sure that we confirm the caller's identify before we release any protected information.

If someone other than the student calls in, please note the name of the caller (authorized individual) and what was verified in STRK.

For email inquiries:

According to MCC email policy, all email communications must be through a MCC email account. If you are communicating with a student, the student must communicate with MCC using his/her MCC email account. Students who use their MCC email account have already confirmed and validated their identity since they must have their username and password to access it and may inquiry about their record via email.

Since authorized individuals must confirm their identify by providing the student's Date of Birth and the last four of their SSN or their student id, we ask that you follow up with a phone call instead of discussing protected information via email. We do not want to possibly compromise a student's SSN by asking for it in an email. Once this is done, please note the name of the authorized individual and the nature of the call in STRK.

For In-person queries:

If a student is asking for protected information (unofficial transcript, schedule, etc.), please make sure he/she presents a photo ID and confirms his/her identity. If an authorized individual is asking for a student's information, make sure to confirm with that person the student's Date of Birth and the last four of their SSN or their student ID.

If someone other than the student asks for protected information, please note the name of the authorized individual and what was verified in STRK.

For all inquiries, if the authorized person does not know the last four of the SSN of the student, then you may ask other questions (such as the student's class schedule or their home address) that may confirm that he/she does have a legitimate right to the student's record.

Q. What information can be given to a person who says he/she is a parent of a student? What proof or ID would a parent need to present?

Unless the student has submitted the Authorization to Release Student Information form giving written permission for his/her parent to access his/her educational records or they meet the requirements of 34 C.F.R. §99.31, the College cannot release non-directory information to that individual. Once an Authorization to Release Student Information form has been submitted and notated in the system, the parent would need to present a photo ID if they request information in person.

Q. A student has lost his/her official transcript from a previously attended college. He/she had one sent to MCC. Can that student have a copy?

No, we do not provide copies of official transcripts received from other institutions to students. A student must contact their former institution to request a transcript.

Q. A parent accompanies his/her child to meet with an advisor/counselor. What is required from that advisor/counselor?

The advisor/counselor needs to make sure that both the student and the parent are aware of FERPA and inform them that non-directory information will not be shared with the parent if the student is not present. The student will need to fill out an Authorization to Release Student Information form if a parent wishes to speak to an advisor/counselor alone.

Q. Who has access to a student's academic records?

The conditions under which prior consent is not required to disclose protected educational information are set forth in 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

Q. Does MCC have to share information with a third party?

An institution is required to release protected educational information to certain third parties in certain prescribed circumstances pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §99.31.

Q. How do we handle release forms from outside agencies?

An institution may release a student's educational record to a third party if that party provides a consent to release form duly executed by the student.

Q. I'm a staff/faculty member and have been asked to do a welcome for a student success conference. I would like to mention a successful former student in my presentation. Do I need to have his/her permission first?

It depends. In order to protect a student's FERPA rights, you would need to get his/her written permission if your presentation mentions any non-directory information related to that student, such as GPA or academic history.

Q. An employee from another institution calls asking about his/her daughter who is enrolled at MCC. Can we release any information to him/her?

No, the student's educational rights must still be protected. We may release directory information to the parent; otherwise, the student needs to submit a written authorization to release non-directory information to that parent.

Q. A student owes money to the College. He believes that that according to FERPA he has the rights to have his transcripts released. Is this true?

No, FERPA protects students from unauthorized release of information and guides the College in understanding who is authorized to receive such information. It also allows an institution to withhold a transcript from being released to a third party if a student has a financial obligation to it. The student may view his/her records, but the College is permitted to withhold its release to a third party until the student has fulfilled his/her financial obligation to the College.

Q. Does FERPA apply to work-study students or interns?

Yes. When working in any College area, student workers are to maintain all rules of confidentiality and be aware of FERPA guidelines.

Q. What information may I release in crisis or emergency?

If the situation is imminent and poses a threat to the safety and health of the public, the MCC community or to the student, FERPA allows MCC officials to release protected educational information to appropriate individuals based on the circumstances (such as law enforcement officials, medically trained personnel and public health officials).

Q. A law enforcement officer is looking for a student to serve a warrant and is asking for the student's class schedule. Can I provide it to him/her?

No, college policy is that all such requests are to be immediately directed to the Chief or Deputy Chief of the College Police Department. According to FERPA, non-directory information can only be provided to a law enforcement officer if they present a lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Otherwise, he/she cannot have access to a student's educational records. Records maintained by the College's Police Department are not a part of a student's educational record and may be shared without prior authorization.

Q. Does FERPA apply if a student is deceased?

No, a student's rights under FERPA cease once a student is deceased. Each institution may implement its own policy regarding the release of protected information regarding a deceased student. Individuals named by the court as executor, executrix, personal representative or who have been granted similar standing in relation to the decedent's estate may have the same access to the deceased student's protected educational information as the student would have had.

Q. What are the consequences for violating FERPA?

An individual who believes that their rights under FERPA have been violated may file a complaint with the United States Department of Education.