FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An "eligible student" under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.) These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day Ohio University ("University") receives a request for access. 
  
  A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes 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.
  
• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights. 
  
  A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
  
  If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student's 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.
  
• The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. 
  
  The University discloses education records without a student's prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to University officials with legitimate educational interests. A University 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 serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A University official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of Ohio University who performs an institutional service or function for which the University would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another University official in performing his or her tasks. A University official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for Ohio University. Upon request, the University discloses education records, without a student's consent, to officials of another school, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
  
• The right of nondisclosure of designated directory/public information.
  
  Ohio University has designated the following items as directory/public information that may be released to the public without the student's consent: student's name; residence hall, mailing, and home addresses; local or landline, cell (if designated as public), and permanent telephone numbers; University email address; current major program(s); participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of enrollment at Ohio University; degrees and awards received from Ohio University, including dates and major programs; previous educational agencies or institutions attended by the student; student's "also known as" (AKA) name; student standing and degree level (1st year undergraduate, 2nd year graduate, etc.); enrollment status (full time, etc.), including total hours enrolled by term; primary advisor; expected graduation date; current college and campus; residency status (Ohio resident, out-of-state student); admission status (new, continuing, etc.); record hold(s); and deceased status.
  
  Students who do not want their directory/public information released to third parties or students who do not want to be identified in the Ohio University online people search must complete the Ohio University Confidentiality Status Request Form .
  
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Ohio University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
  
  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

In accordance with FERPA regulations, Ohio University designates the following as directory information. This information may be shared with third parties unless the student has requested "Confidentiality."

• Student name
• Student’s “also known as” name
• Addresses (residence hall, mailing, and home)
• Telephone number(s) (local or land line, cell—if public, and permanent)
• University email address
• Current major program(s) of study
• Previous institution(s) attended
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of athletic teams
• Dates of enrollment at OHIO and enrollment status, including total hours enrolled by term
• Degrees and awards from OHIO
• Standing and degree level
• Primary advisor
• Expected graduation date
• Current college and campus
• Residency and admission status
• Record hold(s)
• Deceased status 

Confidentiality

OHIO students can update their confidentiality status anytime through the MyOHIO Student Center .Directions are provided under the How to Request Confidentiality and How to End Confidentiality sections.

Note: Students should be aware that choosing confidentiality may result in undesirable repercussions such as denied enrollment and degree verification to persons, agencies, and institutions requesting this information for employment, insurance discounts, school transfer, or related purposes. Prior to graduation, you must remove if the student wants to be listed in the graduation commencement program. 

How to Request Confidentiality 

Students who do not want their directory/public information released to third parties or students who do not want to be identified in Ohio University online search directions must update their privacy settings in MyOHIO Student Center . 

This restriction will remain in place until you remove it. 

• Under the Personal Information section, select Privacy Settings in the drop-down box
• Select the right arrows to proceed
• Read the five statements
• Select Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions
• Choose Restrict All Fields
• Select Save to elect confidentiality

How to End Confidentiality

To remove the FERPA confidentiality in your MyOHIO Student Center , follow these steps:

• Under the Personal Information section, select Privacy Settings in the drop-down box
• Select the right arrows to proceed
• Read the five statements
• Select Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions
• Choose Release All Restrictions
• Select Save to remove the FERPA confidentiality

Lifting these restrictions will make your directory information publicly accessible. This includes details such as your name, addresses, telephone numbers, email address, major, enrollment status, and other information designated as directory information by Ohio University.

Students with Inactive OHIO ID accounts

Students with inactive accounts must complete the Confidentiality Status Request Formto initiate confidentiality or the Confidentiality Status Request to End Formto remove confidentiality. 

Please review the descriptions and submission instructions for each form carefully.

You may be familiar with FERPA rights at the secondary level, but did you know these rights transfer to the student once they begin post-secondary education? Regardless of age, once your student enrolls in a college course, they gain full control over their educational records.

This transition marks a significant shift for both you and your student. They may experience newfound freedom—choosing their own classes, setting their schedule, and making independent decisions. Meanwhile, your role shifts from managing their records to offering guidance and support.

Before they head off to college, establish a communication plan. Discuss what information will be shared and how. Your student will have full access to their academic records through their MyOHIO Student Center.

This is their time to find their voice. Support them as they navigate higher education while still in a safe and supportive environment. You can support your student by familiarizing yourself with the resources available at OHIO, such as the university catalog , academic calendar, and the registrar website .

Requesting Educational Records

If your student completes a Consent to Release form (FERPA form), you, as the designated recipient, must submit an official request each time you need access to their records . All requests will be verified to ensure only the records authorized by the student are shared. Once verified, the educational records will be sent via the United States Postal Service. Requests are typically processed and mailed within 1-3 business days. We can only provide current information, so if you are requesting grades for a specific semester, please wait at least one week after the semester ends before submitting your request.

When submitting your request, please include the following information:

• Student Information: Full legal name, Student PID, and the specific record being requested.
• Requestor Information: Full name, address (including city, state, and ZIP code), and phone number.
• Additionally, please sign and date your request.

All requests should be faxed to 740.593.0216, mailed or hand delivered to Ohio University, Office of the University Registrar, 1 Ohio University, Chubb Hall, Athens, OH 45701.

Please review the description and submission instructions for the form carefully.

FERPA is essential information for all faculty and staff at OHIO. Protecting student educational records is a responsibility shared by every university employee. To better understand FERPA and your role in safeguarding these records, please complete the OHIO University – FERPA Compliance Training: Custom. This training is available to all faculty and staff and can be accessed through Vector Solutions website. 

For additional training options, please feel free to email registrar@ohio.edu

Please review the description and submission instructions for the form carefully.