Annual Notification of Students Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 – commonly known as FERPA, the Privacy Act, or the Buckly Amendment is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of educational records. FERPA governs and protects your rights regarding your individual educational records.
FERPA affords you the right to:
- inspect and review your education records;
- request amendment of your education records;
- consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information in your education records; and
- file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education (Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202).
To review or request an amendment to your record, contact the university office that maintains the record. This does not apply to grade changes, which are at faculty discretion.
Directory Information
FERPA allows for the release of specific items of information not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. This is referred to as Directory Information. UW-Stevens Point, in accordance with FERPA, has designated specific categories of student data as
directory information and is available on the Office of the Registrar website. This information will be released to any inquirer unless you request that it be withheld.
Restricting Disclosure of Directory Information
You have the right to restrict the release of your directory information. To do so, complete the request to withhold directory information form. Please note that such withholding requests are binding for all information to all parties other than for those exceptions allowed under the Act. Students should consider all aspects of a Directory Hold prior to filing such a request. Requests for non-disclosure will be in effect until the student authorizes a change.
Release of Educational Records
Under FERPA, UW-Stevens Point may release information from your education record, without your written consent, if the disclosure is:
- to UW-Stevens Point officials who have a legitimate educational interest;
- to officials of another institution at which you seek or intend to enroll;
- to authorized representatives of federal, state or local educational authorities;
- in connection with financial aid you've applied for or received;
- to an organization conducting studies for or on behalf of the university;
- to an accrediting organization;
- to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- in connection with a health or safety emergency or other exception under FERPA; or
- to fulfill a request for data that UW-Stevens Point defines as directory information.
Student data that is not considered directory information may only be released with your documented consent.
Privacy Glossary
Education Records
Education records are defined as records that are directly related to a student and maintained by the institution or a party acting on behalf of the institution.
The term "education records" does not include the following:
- Sole-possession notes not accessible or revealed to any other individual.
- Records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the educational institution that were created by that law enforcement unit for the purpose of law enforcement.
Legitimate Educational Interest
University officials must demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in order to gain access to student education records and may only access student education records to fulfill the responsibilities of their official role with the university. Any university official who needs information about a student in the course of performing instructional, advisory or administrative duties for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has a legitimate educational interest.
UW-Stevens Point Official
UW-Stevens Point defines university (or school) official as any faculty, administration, staff, student employees and other persons who work with and/or manage student records information. Included in this definition are contractors, consultants, volunteers and other outside providers used by UW-Stevens Point, including the UW-Stevens Point Foundation and the National Student Clearinghouse.
Virtual Classroom
Lecture materials and recordings of classes are protected intellectual property at UW-Stevens Point. Students may use the materials and recordings for their personal use related to participation in this class. Students may also take notes solely for their personal use. If a lecture is not already recorded, you are not authorized to record lectures without instructor permission unless you are considered by the university to be a qualified student with a disability requiring accommodation. [Regent Policy Document 4-1] Students may not copy or share lecture materials and recordings outside of class, including posting on internet sites or selling to commercial entities. Students are also prohibited from providing or selling their personal notes to anyone else or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm without the instructor's express written permission. Unauthorized use of these copyrighted lecture materials and recordings constitutes copyright infringement and may be addressed under the university's policies, UWS Chapters 14 and 17, governing student academic and non-academic misconduct.
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