Parental Notification and Release of Information Policy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of Franciscan University student education records. Students are able to inspect and review their own education records maintained by the University; to request that their education records be corrected if there is evidence of inaccuracy or other discrepancy (this does not include grades); and to prevent the release of their education records without their written consent. Students may sign a FERPA Release Form (available at the Registrar’s Office) to authorize the University to disclose their educational records to parents or third parties. More information on the University’s FERPA policy is available in the online University Course Catalog (www.franciscan.edu).
Certain student information classified as “directory information” may be released without student consent at the University’s discretion. Directory information includes the student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, email address, photograph, and dates of attendance.
Non-directory information cannot be released to the student’s parents or to any third party without the student’s written consent unless the disclosure falls within one of the exceptions provided under FERPA.
Exceptions where information may be disclosed without student permission
- The University may disclose non-directory student information to parents or guardians who provide documentation that their child is a dependent by submitting a copy of their most recent federal tax form (a copy of tax form and notes relating to the release must be maintained in the student’s education file).
- The University may contact parents, guardians, or other persons whose knowledge of information is necessary to protect the health and safety of a student or other persons.
- The University may disclose to parents or guardians of students who are under 21 years of age information relating to incidents when the student is found responsible for violating a law or University policy regarding alcohol or drugs.
- The University may disclose to anyone (including a student’s parents) the final results of disciplinary proceedings conducted by the University against a student who is the alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense if the University has determined as a result of its disciplinary proceeding that the student committed a violation of the University’s rules or policies with respect to such alleged crime or offense. In such instances, the University may elect to disclose (i) the name of the student who violated the University’s rules; (ii) the rules violation committed; and (iii) any sanctions imposed by the University on the student for that offense.