Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

This Federal law states that a written institutional policy must be established and that a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students be made available. The law provides that the institution maintain the confidentiality of student education records.

The University accords all the rights under the law to its students. Students wishing access to a complete copy of the regulation and the University policy governing their educational records may do so at the offices of the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Sadler Hall Room 4022; Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Sadler Hall Room 4017; Dean of Campus Life, Sadler Hall Room 2006; Registrar, Sadler Hall Room 1006; or Scholarships and Financial Aid, Sadler Hall Room 2008.

There are six rights, which are summarized here:

  1. The Right to be Informed. The University will give students an annual notice of their rights and where copies of the policy may be reviewed.
  2. The Right to Inspect. Students may inspect information contained in their educational record provided they make a written request to the custodian of the records. The request must be granted no later than 45 days from the receipt of the request.
  3. Right to Limited Control of Release. No one outside the institution shall have access to, nor will the University disclose identifiable information from the educational records without written consent of the students, except directory information or other exceptions permitted by the act, which the student has not refused to permit the University to disclose.
  4. Right to Request a Change. Students may request that the record be amended if they feel the information is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the rights of privacy. The University will decide whether to change the record. The student may place a rebuttal in the record.
  5. Right to a Hearing. If the University chooses not to amend the record, the student may request a hearing. The request must be in writing to the vice chancellor for student affairs or the vice chancellor for academic affairs. The student will be notified of the time, date and place of the hearing.
  6. Right to Report Alleged Violations. Students who feel their rights have been abridged may file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.

At its discretion, TCU may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the act to include student name, address, telephone number, email address, image, name of parents of dependent students, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. It is also permissible for the University to release information from a student's educational record to a parent, provided the student is a "dependent" as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Students may withhold directory information by notifying the registrar in writing. Requests for nondisclosure will be honored for only one academic year; therefore, authorization to withhold directory information must be filed annually in the Office of the Registrar.





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