Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley-Amendment)

For the complete FERPA policy, please visit the policy.

Directory Information

The Federal Privacy Act (FERPA) defines some information as directory information. SDSU allows the release of the following Directory Information concerning a student upon request, without the consent of the student:

• Student's name
• Student class level
• Major program of study
• Minor program of study
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and awards received
• Full-time/part-time status
• Photographic material (not including student ID photo)
• Hometown

Withholding Directory Information

A currently enrolled student may withhold directory information by completing a request form in the Registrar's Office, on or before the census date of a term. The request form is in effect until rescinded by the student.

FERPA Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the university to amend a record should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student's 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 provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The university discloses education records without a student's prior written consent under the FERPA exception for 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 (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using university employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); 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 the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the university.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
   1. Family Policy Compliance Office
      U.S. Department of Education
      400 Maryland Ave SW
      Washington, DC 20202-5901