Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

Marietta College abides by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). This legislation affords students certain rights with respect to the privacy of their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the education record within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

   FERPA does not afford the student the right to obtain copies of those records. In instances where a student cannot visit campus to review the record, the College must make appropriate arrangements to allow the student to obtain access. This may be accomplished by providing photocopied or electronic copies or by making arrangements with an appropriate third party such as another institution or attorney’s office to act as an agent of the College.

2. The right to request the amendment of an education record that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write to the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College 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 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 contained in the education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

   One exception, which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. 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; 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. Other exceptions include:

   • Other schools to which a student is transferring
   • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
   • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
   • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
   • Accrediting organizations
   • In compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
   • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
   • In compliance with the Solomon Amendment
   • State and local authorities within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

    

4. Data classified as directory information at Marietta College and which may be released upon request without student consent includes:

   • home and local address
   • telephone
   • e-mail address
   • photographs
   • dates of attendance
   • degrees and degree date
   • awards received
   • major field of study
   • schedule of classes
   • participation in officially recognized activities and sports
   • if a member of an athletic team, weight, and height

    

   As a private college, Marietta College does not comply with requests submitted under state open records laws. Additionally, Marietta College respects the privacy of our students, and discretion is always used when responding to requests for directory information. However, students may request non-disclosure of directory information with the Office of the Dean of Student Life, Andrews Hall. A request for non-disclosure of directory information (FERPA block) does not prevent the release of information under many of the allowed exceptions noted above.

   Additionally, in the absence of a FERPA block, information about a student’s accomplishments, such as participation in recognized student activities and receipt of awards and honors, may be communicated to news media, parents, and the high school the student attended unless the student specifically requests that such communication not take place. Such a request must be in writing and sent to the Office of Communication & Brand Management, located in the Follet House on Putnam Street. Such requests must be resubmitted at the beginning of each academic year via the Record of Registration during PioConnect and may cover no more than one year.

Students who believe that their FERPA rights have not been met have a 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 are:

Parent Notification Policy

Under FERPA, when a student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, all rights pertaining to
the student’s educational records transfer to the student. However, FERPA provides ways in which schools
may, but are not required to, share information from a student’s educational records with parents/legal
guardians without the student’s consent.

For more information, visit our Parent Resources.

Students may authorize Marietta College employees to release information to parents by submitting the Authorization to Release Information to Parents/Guardians (PDF). This form allows students to select which categories of information may be disclosed: Academic, Conduct/Housing, Financial Aid, Billing. The form must be signed by the student and submitted to the Records Office in the Irvine Administration Building.
 
The authorization to release information does not serve as a power of attorney, allowing parents to conduct business on behalf of the student nor does it provide electronic access to student information. The Authorization to Release Information to Parents/Guardians is distinct from the Authorized User account available via TouchNet for Student Account purposes.