Students’ Rights Concerning Education Records (FERPA)

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. The FERPA rights of students are as follows:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.

    Students should submit to the Office of Student Affairs written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. If the records are not maintained by the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. Pursuant to the guidelines issued by the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York, all requests shall be granted or denied in writing within 45 days of receipt. If the request is granted, the student will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the request is denied or not responded to within 45 days, the student may appeal. Additional information regarding the appeal procedures will be provided to the student if a request is denied.

  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education 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 to 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 record as requested by the 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 the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

  3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

    One exception that 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; a person or company with whom the University has contracted; 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 access is reasonably necessary in order to perform his or her instructional, research, administrative, or other duties and responsibilities. Upon request, the college discloses education records to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

  4. The right to appeal the alleged denial of FERPA rights to: General Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, The City University of New York 535 East 80 Street, New York, NY 10021.

  5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

    The office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605.

    For additional information: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

  6. The following “directory information” may be made available concerning current and former students by the college to those parties having a legitimate interest in the information:

  • name

  • attendance dates (periods of enrollment) address

  • telephone number date and place of birth photograph

  • email address

  • full - or part-time status

  • enrollment status (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) level of education (credits) completed

  • major field of study degree enrolled for

  • participation in officially recognized activities and sports height and weight of athletic team members

By filing a form with the Registrar’s office and the Office of Student Affairs, any student or former student may request all of the information stated above not be released without his or her prior written consent. This form is available in the Registrar’s office and may be filed, withdrawn, or modified at any time.