Understanding FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal act that affords students of higher learning certain rights with respect to their education. It is the policy of Husson University to follow those guidelines to protect the privacy of students. Once students become part of our community, they will be treated as adults. It is their responsibility to keep you informed of their activities and their academic progress.

Please be advised that in accordance with FERPA rules and regulations Husson University does not:

1. Release information to parents about grades or academic progress without the written consent of the student.
2. Release information to parents about Honor Code or student conduct violations and/or sanctions without the written consent of the student.
3. Release information to parents about the student’s whereabouts or social activities without the written consent of the student.
4. Release information related to a student’s health or counseling record (also covered under HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) without the written consent of the student.
5. Notify a parent or legal guardian when a student is withdrawn or put on a leave of absence from the University.

Husson may contact parents:

When the staff has ongoing concerns about a student’s well-being, or is concerned that a student presents a threat to themself or to others. If your student wishes to waive her/his rights under FERPA, they can fill out the FERPA Student Release enclosed with this booklet or available at the Registrar’s Office.

Alternatively, a parent or guardian may seek access to the academic records if the student is declared as a dependent and attached to the form is a signed copy of pages 1 & 2 of the most recent Federal Income Tax Form 1040. (Please see Part B on the FERPA Student Release.)

The following student rights are covered by FERPA and are afforded to all eligible students of the University:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records.
2. The rights to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
4. The right to notify the University in writing if the student does not want any or all of the information designated as directory information to be released internally or externally. (Please see Part C of the FERPA Student Release)
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Husson University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Without the consent of the student, releases may be made to those with a legitimate educational interest and to third parties as follows:

1. To federal officers as prescribed by law.
2. As required by state law.
3. To research projects on behalf of educational agencies, providing that the agencies guarantee no personal identification of students.
4. To accrediting agencies carrying out their functions.
5. In response to a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
6. By Husson University Safety and Security to other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of a specific criminal case.
7. To parents of students who are dependents as certified according to IRS standards. (Please see Part B on the FERPA Student Release)
8. A student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) regarding the student’s use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if there has been a determination by the University that the student’s use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance constitutes a violation of a University rule or regulation; and the student is under the age of 21 at the time of disclosure to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
9. In connection with an emergency, to appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.