Student Records - Privacy and Access

College is a time of new opportunities and new rights, including a student’s right to records privacy and access. There is a lot of information a college has about students that include personal, academic, financial, and maybe even discipline records. Access to information in these records is protected and limited to the student and college officials who have a legitimate educational interest.

Of course, there are exceptions. One exception is the disclosure of releasable information, things like a student’s name, address, email, phone number, or program of study. This information is not generally considered to be harmful or an invasion of privacy if made publicly available. Other exceptions may also apply such as disclosure to other schools where a student is a student or seeking enrollment; disclosure to the Department of Education or state or local authorities; or disclosure in connection to the receipt of financial aid, etc.

Certain laws make student records private and give students the power to decide what information gets to be seen and who can see it. These laws give students the right to request that certain information be withheld. They also allow students the right to inspect, review, or request amendment to their student records. For more information about these laws, and the privacy and access of student records at the college, see Policy 650 Student Records - Privacy and Access.