Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, the rights of the student and the responsibilities of the institution concerning the various types of student records maintained by the institution are established. Craven Community College supports the rights and privacies afforded each student by the Act and is in compliance with its provisions.

The statute governs access to records maintained by certain educational institutions and the release of such records. In brief, the statute provides:

• that such institutions must provide student access to official records directly related to the student and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate;
• that institutions must obtain the written consent of the student before releasing personally identifiable data about the student from records with the exception of:
  • directory information (Directory information includes the student’s name, major field of study, dates of attendance, full-time or part-time status, and degrees and awards received.)
    • NOTE: An eligible student has the right to withhold the disclosure of Directory Information. Craven Community College will honor the student’s request to withhold directory information when the student gives written consent by completing the Directory Information Summary and Non-Disclosure Form . The completed form is to be delivered to the Registrar’s Office at Craven Community College located in the Brock Administration Building.
  • school officials, including teachers within the educational institution or local educational agency who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests;
  • officials of other schools or school systems in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, upon condition that the student must be notified of the transfer, receive a copy of the record if the record is desired, and have an opportunity to challenge the content of the record;
  • authorized representatives of (1) the Comptroller General of the United States, (2) the Secretary, (3) the Commissioner, the Director of the National Institute of Education, or the Assistant Secretary for Education or state educational authorities;
  • in connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid;
  • state and local officials or authorities to which such information is specifically required to be reported or disclosed pursuant to state statute adopted prior to November 19, 1974;
  • organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction, if such studies are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations and such information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose for which it is conducted;
  • accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions;
  • parents of a dependent student, or such parents, as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; or
  • in compliance with judicial order, or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena, upon condition that students are notified of all such orders or subpoenas in advance of compliance therewith by the educational institution.

Student records (admission papers, registrations, grades and other supporting data) are maintained in the Registrar’s Office. Any student wishing to challenge the content of her or his educational records that are maintained in this office should notify the Director of Admissions and Student Records in writing.

Craven Community College’s policies and procedures related to student records and privacy rights are published on the College’s website and can be accessed using the following quick links:

• Student Records and Privacy Rights
• FERPA Annual Notification of Rights
• Public Records
• External Data Requests

Any additional information concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 may be obtained from the Student Records Office.