Records

FERPA Privacy Laws

In maintaining student records, the College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA is a federal law which provides that colleges and universities will maintain the confidentiality of student education records and accords students the opportunity to review their education records upon request. FERPA rights are accorded to ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED AT PUC regardless of age or circumstance.

What FERPA means for Parents

According to FERPA, parents have no inherent rights to inspect a student's education record from a college or university. In compliance with this federal law, PUC will release records to parents only under the following circumstances:

  • Upon the written consent of the student, renewed yearly. PUC provides the FERPA Privacy Form that students can sign to provide this consent.
  • Upon the provision of a copy of the most recent Federal Income Tax form showing that the student was claimed as a financial dependent.
  • In compliance with a lawfully issued (by judge or attorney) subpoena

What FERPA means for students

Your education record consists of all records directly related to you as a student and maintained by an educational agency (PUC). It includes records, files, and documents–handwritten, printed, stored, and/or displayed on a computer screen. It does not include sole possession records, employment records, medical/psychological treatment records, or alumni records. Your education record is divided into two categories: directory information and personally identifiable information.

Directory information can be released without your consent and consists of your:

  • Name
  • Local address and telephone number
  • E-mail address
  • Date of birth
  • Major and minor
  • Year in college and dates of attendance
  • Date of graduation and degrees and awards received

All personally identifiable information not included as directory information is confidential. Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to, your:

  • Parents' names or the names of any other family members
  • Family's home address
  • Personal identifiers such as your PUC ID number or your Social Security number
  • Personal characteristics
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Country of citizenship
  • Religion
  • Class schedule
  • Academic evaluations and grades
  • Counseling and advising records
  • Disciplinary records
  • Financial aid records
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts and other academic records
  • Scores on standardized tests
  • Billing and fee payment records

FERPA says that PUC cannot disclose information from your education record without your written consent.

There are certain exceptions, the following information CAN be disclosed without your consent:

  • Directory information.
  • Information to faculty, administrators, and employees within the College system with a legitimate educational need to know.
  • Information to other universities, colleges, or schools in which you seek to enroll.
  • Information required in an emergency to protect your health and safety or that of others.
  • Information requested by certain federal, state, and local officials and/or authorities as set forth in the law.
  • Information to persons or organizations providing you with financial aid.
  • Information to certain organizations conducting educational studies or to accrediting bodies.
  • Information to your parents if you are a financial dependent according to IRS standards. A copy of the most recent Federal Income Tax form must be provided by your parents to document your financial dependency.

You have the right to request that no directory information be disclosed except for information regarding degree status. This request must be submitted to the registrar in writing while you are enrolled as a student at PUC.

In order to give written consent for your information to be shared with your parents, please fill out the Your Right to Privacy form and submit the completed form to the Academic Administration. This form expires at the end of the school year and must be renewed annually.

You have the right to inspect and review official records, files, and data directly related to yourself that are kept in any office of the college. There is one exception: If you are a student applying for admission to the College you may not review your application file. Requests to review any records should be made in writing to the administrator responsible for the record. Requests will be processed within 45 days from the date the request is filed.