Santa Clara University

FERPA

Excerpt from the Student Handbook

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects the confidentiality of the University records of Santa Clara University students.

The University is authorized under provisions of the Act to release directory information to any person on request, unless a student explicitly requests in writing that the University not to do so and keep directory information confidential.

A student’s directory information is designated as follows:

• Name
• Address (campus, local and/or permanent; e-mail)
• Telephone number
• Date and place of birth
• Photographic image
• Major field of study, classification, dates of attendance, expected graduation date, degrees, and honors received
• Most recent previous educational institution attended
• Participation in officially recognized activities, including intercollegiate athletics
• Height and weight of participants on intercollegiate athletic teams

During the registration period and throughout the academic year, students may request in writing, through the Office of the Registrar, that directory information be kept confidential. Once filed, the request remains in effect until the beginning of the next academic year, or a shorter period, if designated by the student. Graduating students must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing to remove the non-disclosure notation from their record.

Certain records are excluded by law from inspection, specifically those created or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist in connection with the treatment or counseling of a student. Parents’ financial information, including statements submitted with scholarship applications, is also excluded by law from inspection. Third parties may not have access to educational records or other information pertaining to students without the written consent of the student about whom the information is sought.

Former or current borrowers of funds from any Title IV student loan program should note carefully that requests for nondisclosure of information will not prevent Santa Clara University from releasing information pertinent to employment, enrollment status, current address, and loan account status to a school lender, subsequent holder, guarantee agency, U.S. Department of Education, or an authorized agent.

Students have the right to inspect and review their educational records at the following offices:

• Official academic records, including application forms, admission transcripts, letters of acceptance, and a student’s permanent academic record are on file and maintained in the Office of the Registrar.
• Working academic files are also maintained by the Drahmann Center.
• Records related to a student’s nonacademic activities are maintained in the Office of Student Life.
• Records relating to a student’s financial status with the University are maintained in the various student financial services offices.

Students have the right to request the amendment of their educational records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights. Students may direct complaints regarding academic records to the dean of the College or School in which they are enrolled or to the University registrar. In addition, students have the right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by Santa Clara University to comply with the requirements of the Act. Written complaints should be directed to:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

For additional information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or to obtain a copy of Santa Clara University’s policy, please go to the SCU FERPA Web site. You may also contact the Office of the Registrar in Walsh Administration Building. For additional information about the University’s Parental Notification Policy for alcohol and controlled substance violations, click here.