Subject: NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

Dear Student:

We want to take this opportunity to give you a brief summary of your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal law that governs release of and access to student education records. (The complete notice can be found here: http://www.eiu.edu/registra/officialnotice.php)

These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University received 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 rules requiring such an inspection are explained in IGP 60 found here - http://castle.eiu.edu/auditing/060.php 

2. The right to request an amendment of your education record if you believe it is 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.  (Grade appeals are administered under separate University policy.) If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will advise you regarding appropriate steps if you do not agree with the decision.

3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in your 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, National Student Clearinghouse, Credentials, Inc. 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.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the 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

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