The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students
certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights
include:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records
within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic
department, or other appropriate official, written requests that
identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University 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 University 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 or
misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they
believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University
official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the
record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or
misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as
requested by the student, the University 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 will be 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.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to
school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school
official is a person employed by the University 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 University 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 responsibility. Upon request, the
University may disclose education records without consent to officials
of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
Finally, "public information" may be released freely unless the student
files the appropriate form requesting that certain public information
not be released. This form is available at the Office of the Registrar.
Public information is limited to name; address; phone; major field of
study; dates of attendance; admission or enrollment status; campus;
school, college, or division; class standing; degrees and awards;
activities; sports; and athletic information.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of
Education concerning alleged failures by Fisk University to comply with
the requirements of FERPA.