The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Pursuant to the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students at Horizon University have the following rights:
- To inspect and review the student’s educational record maintained by the school
- To seek correction of the student records through a request to amend the records or a request for a hearing
- To file a complaint regarding alleged failures of the rights accorded students by
the Federal Act with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C.20202-5920 http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html
- To consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records
Students should submit to the Registrar or designated school official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school 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 school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
To request the amendment of the educational records, the student should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record he or she wants changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University 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 at that time.
In accordance with Section 99.37 of the FERPA regulations, Horizon University is authorized to release “directory information” concerning students. “Directory information” may include the student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, degrees, honors, and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. The above-designated information is subject to release by the school at any time unless the school has received prior written objection from the student specifying what information the student requests not be released.
In accordance with Section 99.31 of the FERPA regulation, Horizon University is authorized to disclose any information from a student’s education record, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31) :
- School officials with legitimate educational interest;
- Other schools to which a student is transferring;
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
- Accrediting organizations;
- To comply with judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant of specific State law For additional information, technical assistance, or questions regarding the rights of students under the University policies and the federal law should be directed to the University Registrar’s office.