The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 establishes the rights of students with regard to educational records. The act makes provision for inspection, review and amendment of educational records by the students and requires, in most instances, prior consent from the student for disclosure of such records to third parties. The consent must be in writing, signed and dated by the student. The act applies to all persons formerly and currently enrolled at an educational institution. Access to educational records does not give permission to make changes to the student’s record. For more information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.

The College maintains two types of student education records: directory information and other student records. Directory information is considered public information and may be released by the College upon request, in accordance with existing law. Any student who does not wish directory information released must submit the appropriate documentation indicating such with the Registrar’s Office. Details about directory information may be found on the Registrar’s page of the Providence website.

The policy, found below, can be obtained through the Registrar’s Office or viewed in the Academic Handbook. Questions concerning the Act may be referred to the Office of the Registrar.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) was designed to transfer parental “rights” to their “adult” children when they enroll in college and, therein, protect the privacy of education records and provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Questions about FERPA should be referred to the Office of Registrar.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access.
A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student 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.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
A student who wishes to ask the College to amend a record should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s 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.

(3) The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
The College discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; 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 an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College.Upon request, the College also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901

Providence designates the following categories of student information as public or “directory information.” The College reserves the right to disclose such information at its discretion, unless requested not to in writing by the student. Requests are to be filed with the Registrar’s Office prior to September 15 each year, or February 1 for students entering the College in the spring semester.

• Name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, dates of attendance, class, photograph.
• Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, scholarships, honors, degrees conferred (including dates).
• Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height and weight of athletes), date and place of birth.
• Home and local/student church membership, including church denomination.

Providence Christian College intends to uphold both the letter and spirit of FERPA, while at the same time upholding Biblical relationships and responsibilities of the family. As general practice, the College does not inform parents and other students of disciplinary action taken toward students. However, the College encourages students to communicate openly and honestly with their parents about disciplinary matters. Even though students are legally and morally responsible for their conduct, the College also recognizes the concern of parents for the welfare of their children. Thus, the College reserves the right to notify parents under the following conditions:

• Medical treatment or psychiatric examination required to meet emergencies or to maintain one’s status as a student.
• Misconduct that is of such a nature that the student is in danger of suspension or expulsion.
• Extended absence or withdrawal from the College.