FERPA - Student Confidentiality

There have been several instances this semester where student record information was inappropriately released to third parties by email or phone. We have developed the attached FERPA Guidelines for Faculty and Staff that provide specific information regarding the rules that apply to the release of student information. Copies will be distributed to all employees.

I would like to point out three important guidelines.

1. All requests for the release of student information (enrollment status, transcripts, etc.) should be channeled to my office for processing. This is the central location that houses all student requests to withhold the release of information.
2. In most cases, information should never be shared by phone – we have no way of identifying who we are speaking with. If you have a business need to release information to a student that is specific to their personal record, please contact me so that we can discuss ways in which we can ensure the security of their records in terms of establishing proper identification before releasing such information (student’s no longer live in the area).
3. Parents do not automatically have a right to their child’s educational records. Please defer all of these requests to my office for processing. Students must provide their parents with a written release, authorizing them access to their student records. These requests are also centrally located in my office.
   

Thank you for your cooperation!!

Catherine Fites
Dean, Enrollment and Student Services
Sacramento City College