Additional Policies
Confidentiality and Access to Student Records (FERPA)
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), provides that, with the exception of directory information, all student records are confidential and available only to the student.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
Access
Students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university 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 university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
Students also have the right to request amendment of contents of their education records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want 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 to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
Right to File a Complaint
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Indiana University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Confidentiality and Disclosure
Students have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (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 responsibility. Upon request, the university may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student intends to enroll. Finally, “public information” may be released freely unless the student files the appropriate form requesting that certain public information not be released. This form is available through Student Central.
Public information at IUFW is limited to:
- Name
- School or Division
- University E-mail Address
- Class Standing
- Major Field of Study
- Degrees and Awards
- Dates of Attendance
- Activities
- Admission or Enrollment Status
- Sports and Athletic Information
- Campus
Parental Access to Student Records
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parental access to student records may be granted if the student is under 21 years of age and the parent certifies in writing that the student is a dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In the case of divorce, either parent (custodial or noncustodial) has access to the record of a dependent student. This exception is rarely used, but is available if deemed necessary. Instead, students are encouraged to use the third party access service available to them.
Third Party Access
In compliance with the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the University Policy on Access to and Release of Student Education Records, the University is prohibited from providing certain information from your student records to a third party, such as information on grades, billing, tuition and fees assessments, financial aid (including scholarships, grants, work-study, or loan amounts) and other student record information. This restriction applies, but is not limited to your parents, your spouse, a sponsor, etc. While University officials are prohibited from releasing your confidential information, you may, at your discretion, grant permission to a third party to portions of your record via Self Service in OneStart. Please visit the third party access web site for more information https://www.iufw.edu/personal-information/give-access.html.
Availability of Public Information
Certain student information maintained in Student Central is considered public. The university maintains an online address book that allows a user to find a limited set of information for an individual student by searching on a student’s name or university network ID. The address book displays the student’s school, major, class standing, and, if available, the student’s e-mail address.
IUFW uses a course management system called Oncourse. Through Oncourse, all students enrolled in a class will see the names of their classmates unless a student has filed a Restraint of Release of Student Information form in Student Central. The list of names is available only to the instructor and those enrolled in the specific class and does not provide a student’s complete course schedule. In Oncourse, only the student’s name is available to classmates and will not be available to anyone outside of the university. Only the name will appear unless the individual student releases additional information to fellow classmates through use of the Oncourse profile system. See the Oncourse Student Guide for additional information.
Restraint of Release of Student Information Form
If you do not want any or some information about you released to any person other than faculty or staff, complete a Restraint of Release of Student Information form and return it to Student Central. A confidentiality flag will be added to your record. This restrainer will also block all information from appearing in the online address book or to classmates in Oncourse.
To remove the restraint, complete a Removal of the Restraint of Release of Student Information form and return it to Student Central.
Disclosures
From time to time, IUFW is served with a subpoena for portions of a student’s record. In these cases, IUFW writes to the student or the student’s attorney (if known) to inform them that unless the student provides IUFW with notification that the student will attempt to quash the subpoena, IUFW will provide the information requested, even if the student has placed a restriction on his or her record.
Records of arrests and/or convictions and traffic accident information are public information and may be released to anyone making inquiry of University Police.
For additional questions regarding the policy on the release of student information, contact Student Central. For a full copy of the university policy on student records, see Appendix 4 in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.
IUFW does not provide lists of students or an individual student’s address or phone number to outside businesses, agencies, students, or other parties. IUFW does provide phone numbers in emergency situations and only following consultation with University Police. However, because IUFW participates in federal programs, we are required by federal law to make available to military recruiters the name, address, age, and prior military service status of all students at IUFW.
The university sponsors an Affinity credit card to IU students and alumni. A small portion of each charge is paid to the university, giving students and alumni the opportunity to demonstrate their support of the university. A list of students is provided to the vendor each year for purposes of solicitation for this credit card only. Under the terms of the contract, the vendor may not share the list of students or alumni with other vendors. Names of students who have filed a Restraint of Release of Student Information form will not appear on this list.
