The 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects student record information and assigns the rights to release that information to the student. As a result, the university can release information about a student’s academic record if the student has submitted a signed a signed consent form. That said, the university encourages students to share with their families information about their education, rather than rely on this approach. The university may engage with parents or legal guardians when students have violated the standards put forward in the code of conduct. The university may engage with parents or legal guardians in instances of underage drinking, drug violations, sexual misconduct or acts of violence. Except where the student’s health or safety is at risk, students will participate in the judicial process before parents are informed of infringements.
FERPA preferences and consents to release information may only be established and submitted by the student themselves. They cannot be submitted by any other party on the student’s behalf. The university does not release student records without consent even if the student is a financial dependent.
The Office of the University Registrar provides additional information about FERPA.