FERPA for Parents
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as amended, is a federal law that influences record keeping in colleges and universities. The law requires that the educational records of students in colleges and universities receiving Department of Education funds, directly or through students receiving federal financial aid, remain confidential. The law allows others to access a student’s educational records only if the student consents, subject to a few exceptions. Certain information, known as directory information, may be released without the student’s consent.
FAQs Regarding FERPA for Parents
Because Christian Brothers University accepts federal Department of Education monies, parents may not have access to their son or daughter’s educational records unless the son or daughter has completed a FERPA Release form. These forms are filled out on BannerWeb by going to BannerWeb > Student Services > Student Records > FERPA Release Form.
In the course of an academic year parents, understandably, want to be informed of their student’s progress. Due to FERPA, the faculty and staff may not be able to give any information concerning a student to a parent without the student’s permission.
No one outside the institution shall have access to nor will the institution disclose any information from students’ educational records without the written consent of the student. The only exceptions are those permitted by the ACT (for additional information, refer to The Compass, “Confidentiality of Students Records”). To obtain a “Consent to Disclosure” form, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (901) 321-3889. Disciplinary records will not be released to other institutions or employers unless the University is instructed to do so by civil authorities or by permission of the student.