Understanding Student Directory Information at the University of Nebraska and FERPA Regulations
The University of Nebraska, encompassing four distinct campuses, including a land-grant flagship, an academic medical center, a metropolitan campus, and an undergraduate-focused campus, is committed to providing high-quality education through various avenues, including over 150 online programs. As part of its operations, the university collects and manages student information, a process governed by the federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This article aims to clarify what student directory information is at UNL, how it is handled, and the rights students have under FERPA.
What is FERPA?
FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of students' educational records. The law assigns the student as the owner of their educational record and provides guidelines on how the educational institution is to use and release protected information. This ensures that information such as the student’s grades, academic standing, and course schedule are not public information and that the student controls who has access to this information. This law also requires the educator to grant the student's access to their personal records. It is important for university staff to know and understand what information they can and cannot access or share with others about students.
Staff Responsibilities Regarding Student Information
University staff must adhere to FERPA guidelines to protect student privacy. This includes:
- Never releasing any information about a student to the public that isn't considered public directory information.
- Understanding that non-directory information includes grades, class schedule, and academic standing.
- Being prepared to explain to students, parents, faculty, and advisors why certain information cannot be shared.
Consequences of FERPA Violations
Violating FERPA can have serious repercussions. FERPA violations may result in the loss of federal funding for the university. Any breach of confidentiality could lead to disciplinary action, including the possibility of termination of employment.
Directory Information: What the University Can Disclose
The university is allowed to select some information about a student to make accessible to the public. This information is called "Directory Information." The university has two levels of directory information, public and non-public. Public Directory Information is student information that is available to the public. This allows individuals such as employers or insurance agents to verify enrollment. The only required disclosure of educational records under FERPA is to the student. All other disclosures, including those with student consent and disclosures of directory information, are at the discretion of the institution.
Read also: Accessing the Cornell Directory
Student Rights: Restricting Directory Information
Students have the right to control the release of their directory information. Non-disclosure of directory information must be requested via MyRED or in writing submitted to Husker Hub by current or formerly enrolled students.
Non-disclosure means the university may not release any directory information about the student, except as permitted under the provisions of FERPA. The university may not even acknowledge to third parties that the person is a student. This directory information restriction remains in effect until you remove it through MyRED. Directory information already included in hard copy publications will be removed at the next printing of the hard copy publication.
Even though a student may have placed a FERPA restriction, the university has the right to share the student’s information, without the student’s authorization, with school officials who have a legitimate educational interest or in response to a judicial order or legally issued subpoena.
The university will honor a student's properly submitted request to restrict the release of directory information but cannot assume responsibility to contact the student for subsequent permission to release the information. Regardless of the effect upon a student, the university assumes no liability for honoring a student's request that directory information be restricted.
Non-Directory Information: What is Protected?
Non-directory information can be shared only with that student. All other third parties are not permitted to view that student’s information (including parents, faculty, advisors etc.) unless they meet at least one of the following conditions:
Read also: Student Directory Information
- The written consent of the student.
- School officials that have a legitimate educational interest.
- When there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals.
- When confirming information provided by a third party. (For example: if someone calls and provides the NUID of a student, you may include the NUID when giving them information).
- Educational institutions where the student plans to enroll or transfer.
- Judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoena.
- Any records included under the directory information unless they have been restricted by the student.
- Parents if the students are Federal IRS dependents; proof of dependency is required.
- Third parties with written agreement in conjunction with the evaluation of federal or state supported educational programs.
Under FERPA, release of information is up to the university's discretion even if an exception is met.
Who Are University Officials?
University officials are university employees or third parties under contract with the university to achieve educational missions of the university.
Downsides to Hiding Directory Information
Students should carefully consider the implications before restricting their directory information. Are There Downsides to Hiding Directory Information?
- Insurance companies and potential employers cannot verify your enrollment or awarded degree.
- If you make the dean's list, your name will not be published.
- Your name will not be included in the graduation program.
- When graduating, your name will not be listed in the newspaper with the rest of the graduates.
Read also: Navigating Bethel
tags: #unl #student #directory #information
