F.E.R.P.A.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

This act was designated to protect the privacy of educational records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records.

These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the student's educational records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
  Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate office written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.
  The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the students of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the students of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• The right to request the amendment of the student's educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.
  They should write the college 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 college decides not to amend the records as requested by a student, the college 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 a student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  One exception which permits disclosure without consent is a disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is:
  • a person employed by the college 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 college 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 educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
  The following is considered "Directory Information" at SUNY Ulster and may be made available to the general public at the discretion of the college, unlessthe student notifies the Office of the Registrar in writing before that end of the first month of the fall semester:
  • student's name,
  • address,
  • phone listing,
  • date and place of birth,
  • major field of study,
  • participation in officially recognized activities and sports,
  • weight and height of members of athletic teams,
  • dates of attendance,
  • degrees and awards received,
  • and the most recent previous education agency attended.
• Students are allowed to authorize the release of their personal information to another person, such as a parent, by completing the Authorization to Release Information form.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by SUNY Ulster to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
  Contact FERPA at Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Registrar's Office
Vanderlyn Hall Room 206
SUNY Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, New York 12484
(845) 688-6009 FAX (845) 687-5126