The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Angelina College adheres to and annually informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended. This act, with which the institution intends to fully comply, was designed to protect the privacy of student records. Under FERPA, eligible students have certain rights with respect to their student records. According to FERPA, an eligible student is at least 18 years old OR attends a post-secondary institution, regardless of age.
These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s records within 45 days of the day Angelina College receives a request for access.
- Students should submit to the Registrar, dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate official any written requests that identify the record(s) they wish 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, the official will advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request amending student records or information believed to be inaccurate or misleading.
- Students should write to the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
- If AC 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 the amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s record, except in instances that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom AC has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; 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 a record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Angelina College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Submit complaints to:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605