The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)<\/a> was passed by Congress in 1974. It grants four specific rights to a postsecondary student:<\/p>\n\n\n\n FERPA applies to any educational institution that receives funds administered by the Department of Education, which includes Bates. College officials are expected to understand and comply with FERPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re always happy to chat if a Bates employee is ever in doubt about releasing information about a student or if a Bates student is ever in doubt about how their education record is handled by Bates. You can reach us by email at registrar@bates.edu and by phone at 207-755-5949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Education records are records directly related to a student that are maintained by Bates or a party acting on behalf of Bates. These records include but aren\u2019t limited to grades, transcripts, rosters, student schedules, student financial information, Degree Audits, attendance records, and conduct records. The medium of the record doesn\u2019t matter. There are some exceptions in the definition, primarily for certain law enforcement, employment, or medical records. If you’re ever not sure whether something counts as an education record, check with the Registrar’s Office (but it probably does!).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Bates designates certain student record information as directory information for the purposes of FERPA. We publish the list of the designated items annually in the Bates Catalog<\/a>. Directory information may be shared publicly unless the student\u2019s taken formal action to block its release, but we\u2019re not required to release any information about a student, including directory information. College policy limits what we share beyond the restrictions mandated by FERPA. If you\u2019re ever not sure if you can release something, check with the Registrar\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The consent must specify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It must be signed and dated by the student, but a student may consent electronically by providing the required information using their Bates email. If you have questions about collecting consent from a student, ask the Registrar\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s unlawful to share information about students to third parties without the students\u2019 written consent, including verbally. If you have a student\u2019s consent, you can release information in accordance with the consent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a violation of FERPA to share information about students to other members of the Bates community unless that individual has a legitimate educational interest and needs the information to perform their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re a student, your education record will not be shared with third parties unless you provide a written consent. If you believe your record or other students’ records have been improperly disclosed, contact the Registrar’s Office.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re ever not completely sure you\u2019re doing right by FERPA or you have questions about a particular situation, we\u2019d love to help. Email us at registrar@bates.edu<\/a> or call us at 207-755-5949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s an education record?<\/h3>
What\u2019s directory information?<\/h3>
What’s included in a FERPA-compliant consent?<\/h3>
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What does all of this mean for members of the Bates community?<\/h3>
What are some things to watch out for to avoid unintentionally violating FERPA?<\/h3>
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Questions? Just ask!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n