The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that states that upon reaching the age of 18 or attendance at a post-secondary institution (regardless of age) FERPA rights transfer to the student. All academic records are kept in the registrar’s office. Please note that due to this federal legislation, when asked, the college must provide academic data to certain government agencies. This includes, but is not limited to the military and Homeland Security
- Colby-Sawyer College releases to students, information from their educational records such as grades earned and academic status. Both mid-semester and final grades are available to students on PowerCAMPUS Self-Service. Students are encouraged to share this information with their parents or guardians.
- Under certain circumstances, however, grades and/or information concerning academic status may be released directly to parents or other individuals. When students begin at Colby-Sawyer College, they are asked to fill out a FERPA form. This form is found in the Getting Started Guide. Once students have filled out the first FERPA form, they may make changes to this document by submitting a new form. Annually, students are asked to review the names of those who they have declared FERPA cleared. The FERPA form is available on myRegistrar. The information on the most current FERPA form remains in effect until the registrar’s office is notified to change it; this includes following the student’s graduation. Records may be released directly to the individual(s) identified by the student under any of the following conditions:
- Mid-semester Grades:
- Students who have two or more mid-semester grades below C
- Students who are on academic probation from the previous semester and have at least one mid-semester grade below C
- Final Grades:
- Students who have been placed on dean’s list
- Students who have been placed on academic probation
- Students who have been suspended for academic reasons
- Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons
- Mid-semester Grades:
- Colby-Sawyer College will not release the academic records of non-degree students to anyone other than the student.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment) allows students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within forty-five days from the day the college receives a request for access. The student should submit to the registrar or academic affairs coordinator a written request that identifies the record(s) she or he wishes to inspect. The college 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 college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The student may request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her 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.
The student has the right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in his or her education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as:
- a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or support staff position (including campus safety and health staff);
- a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); or
- a person serving on the board of trustees or a college employee 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 to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. The college expressly reserves the right to release information about a student to parents, guardians or other appropriate persons when necessary to ensure or protect the health, safety and well-being of the student or other persons.
Directory Information Public Notice
Colby-Sawyer College, at its discretion, may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of FERPA. Directory information is defined as information that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
- Designated directory information at Colby-Sawyer College includes the following: student’s name, photo, college mailing address, college telephone number, college email address, hometown, major field of study, enrollment status, class level, date of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received and most recent education agency or institution attended.
If a student wishes to not have directory information released, the student must submit the request in writing to the registrar’s office. Please note that waiving the directory information is an all or nothing waiver. If the student does choose to opt out of directory information none of the student’s information may be given under any circumstances including, but not limited to, athletic events/photos, sponsors, notice of awards or inquiries from potential employers.