FERPA at Lake Michigan College

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FERPA at Lake Michigan College

• Office of Records, Registration and Admissions

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What is FERPA?

• FERPA is the acronym for the Family Educational
  Rights and Privacy Act passed by the Congress in
  1974.
• FERPA covers a students right to privacy of
  academic records at all educational agencies
  receiving funds from the Secretary of Education.
  It also allows for students to inspect and review
  their records and provides for the correction of
  inaccurate information.

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Student Rights under FERPA

• All students have the right to view their
  educational records.
• Educational records are defined as those records
  that contain information directly related to a
  student and are maintained by an education agency
  or institution or party acting for the agency or
  institution. Exceptions to this are sole
  possession,employment, law enforcement,
  medical/health or alumni records.
• All students may seek to amend their education
  records.

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Release, Review and Amendment

• A signed release will allow individuals
  authorized in the release access to student
  records.
• If a student wishes to view his or her own
  record, a Student Request to Review Educational
  Record form must be submitted to the Registrars
  Office.

• The student may view his or her records within 45
  days of the request.
• The student may ask that items in the record be
  added or removed. The request will be considered
  and a written decision given to the student.

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Who can request a students confidential record?

• The student
• Individuals authorized through a release signed
  by the student
• College personnel on a need to know basis
• Court system through supeona or court order
  (Students are notified by Records and
  Registration)

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Directory Information at Lake Michigan College

• The following is directory information and can be
  released without written consent from the
  student-
• Name
• Address
• Dates of Attendance by terms or years
• Full-time/Part-time (not credit hours)
• Degrees, awards and dates earned

• Athletic information
• Height/Weight
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities
  or sports
• Most recent previous educational institution
• This information may also be restricted by the
  student by requesting confidentiality of all
  records by making a written request to the
  Registrar.

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Non-Directory Information

• A signed release is required before any of the
  following confidential information is released--
• Grades
• GPA
• Number of Credits
• Social Security Number

• Any Financial Aid Information
• Payment or Billing Information
• Gender
• Race/Ethnicity
• Psychological or Medical Reports
• Disciplinary Records
• Transcripts
• Test Scores
• Student Payrolls
• Counseling or Advising Records

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Things to Remember

• No information about a student of majority age
  can be given a third party without signed release
  from the student.
• Never provide information over the phone even if
  you know the student who is requesting it.

• Grades should not be posted in a manner that may
  identify individual students.
• Class schedules are not to be given to anyone
  other than the student.

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Signatures

• All of LMCs Records forms require a signature.
• Acceptable
• Original written signature
• Faxed signature
• Not Acceptable
• password and pin
• electronic signature

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How are students notified of their FERPA rights?

• Through the LMC website--www.lmc.cc.mi.us
• Through the Student Handbook--pg. 100
• Through LMCs Catalog--pg. 199