Student Records and Privacy
Transcripts
Students may obtain a transcript of academic records from the Registrar’s Office after initiating a request through that office. UIW reserves the right to withhold transcripts for those students who have not met all conditions for admission or who have outstanding financial obligations.
The Registrar’s Office will normally respond to transcript requests within three to five days. However, during peak periods, such as the end of the semester or during registration, response to transcript requests may take longer. There is no charge for the transcript; however, a same-day-service fee may be applied. Same day service is not available during peak periods.
UIW will not provide copies of transcripts or test scores received from other institutions. Students should apply to the original institution for official copies of that information. Official documents submitted to the University of the Incarnate Word become the property of the university and cannot be returned.
Student Records Fee
Upon matriculation, all students are charged a one-time records fee to cover administrative costs associated with the creation and maintenance of the student record. After payment of this fee, transcripts are issued to students free of charge.
Student Records
University of the Incarnate Word maintains educational records for all current and former students who are officially enrolled. Student records at the university are subject to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning compliance issues. The name and address of the appropriate office is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5920.
Review of the Educational Record
Students have the right to inspect and review their educational record. All requests must be in writing to the Registrar and must identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the students of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the university official to whom the request was submitted does not maintain the records, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. The response from the university official will be within 45 days of the receipt of the request for access.
Educational Records on Campus
Educational records are those records directly related to a student for the purpose of recording the educational endeavor of the student. They do not include law enforcement records, employment records, medical records, alumni records, or faculty advisor/instructor notes. Educational records may be stored in many media and are not limited to an individual file.
Amendment of the Educational Record
The student may request an amendment to the educational record if he or she believes it is inaccurate or misleading. The amendment of the educational record does not pertain to the grade assigned by the faculty. The student should write to the Registrar to request the amendment. The request must clearly identify the portion of the record she or he wants changed, specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university does not amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
Directory Information and Student Confidentiality
The University of the Incarnate Word will not disclose any personally identifiable information about students (except directory information listed below) without the written consent of the student.
Directory information at the University of the Incarnate Word has been identified as:
- Student’s name
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Address
- Telephone listing
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Electronic mail address
- Photograph
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- The most recent educational agency or institution attended
Each student has the right to restrict the release of any or all of this information by submitting a written request to the Registrar’s Office. School officials with legitimate educational interests may have access to educational records, without the students’ consent, if the record is needed in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities. School officials are identified as the following: a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position, a person or company with whom UIW has contracted, a person serving on the Board of Trustees, or a student serving on an official committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
Related Forms
Transcript Release Form
Transcript Request
Withhold Directory Information Form