The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and other regulations afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. Notice of these rights is contained in the Stanford Bulletin.
Stanford University will comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the privacy of student information. These regulations are explained in the Stanford Bulletin.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the date the University receives a request for access.
The student should submit to the Registrar, Dean, chair of the department, or other appropriate Stanford official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Stanford official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Stanford official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA.
A student may ask Stanford University to amend the record that he or she believes is inaccurate or misleading. The student should write the Stanford official responsible for the record (with a copy to the University Registrar), clearly identify the part of the records he or she wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If Stanford University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, Stanford will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
Additional information regarding the hearing procedures is provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
FERPA contains various exceptions to the general rule that Stanford University should not disclose education records without seeking the prior written consent of the student. The following circumstances are representative of those in which education records (and information drawn from education records) may be disclosed without the student's prior written consent:
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Stanford University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.
Students are encouraged to maintain an ongoing, open dialogue with parents throughout their careers at Stanford about academic progress and personal development. Most student difficulties are resolved at Stanford without involving parents. The University does recognize, however, that there are some exceptional situations where parental involvement may be appropriate to assist a student through a difficult circumstance. Under those circumstances, Stanford may (but is not required to) choose to disclose information to parents if permitted by law.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Stanford is permitted to disclose information drawn from education records to parents if one or more parent claims the student as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Some laws, especially those relating to medical and mental health care, prohibit the disclosure of information without the student's consent, even where the student is a tax dependent.
The Stanford Bulletin lists “directory information,” i.e., information that the University may make available to any person upon specific request (and without student consent). For more information, see Stanford's FERPA web page on the Registrar’s Office web site.
Students may prohibit the release of any of the items listed on the web page above (except name and SUNet ID) by designating which items should not be released using the Privacy function of Axess. Students may prohibit the release of their SUNet ID and/or name (and consequently all other information) after an appointment with the Office of the Registrar to discuss the ramifications of this action.
Students, faculty, and others with questions regarding student records should contact the Office of the Registrar.
PROCESS STEPS | RESPONSIBILITY | |
---|---|---|
1. | Establishes a Stanford University identification number (SUNet ID) and updates personal information in Axess. | Student |
2. | Maintains student information, including advisers and milestones in PeopleSoft Student Administration. | Department |
3. | Completes necessary PeopleSoft training in order to access private student information, including students’ university bill. | Designated staff |
4. | If he or she wishes, uses the Privacy function in Axess to prohibit release of any items identified as "Directory Information," with the exception of the student's name and SUNet ID. | Student |
5. | Appropriately protects the privacy of student records, referring any questions in this regard to the Office of the Registrar. | All involved parties |