The intent of this legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the privacy and accuracy of education records.  The Act applies to all institutions that are the recipients of federal aid administered by the Secretary of Education.  Additional details regarding FERPA can be found at:  http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Georgia Southern has defined directory information to include student’s name, post office box, telephone number, date and place of birth, major, participation in activities, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and most recent educational institution attended.  This information is considered public information and will be released to those requesting such information unless the student has specifically requested that the information in this category be restricted.  Students who wish to prohibit the release of Directory Information may present a written request to the Registrar and such information will not be released.  However, requests that directory information be withheld from a written publication must be received in sufficient time to prevent delay in processing that publication.

ANNUAL NOTICE OF PRIVACY RIGHTS
Georgia Southern is covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) which is designed to protect the student’s rights with regard to educational records maintained by the institution.  Under this Act, a student has the following rights:

1. The right to inspect and review education records maintained by this institution that pertain to the student;
2. The right to challenge the content of records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or a violation of privacy or other rights; and
3. The right to control disclosures from the education records with certain exceptions.

EDUCATION RECORD
"Education Record" means generally any record maintained by and for Georgia Southern University which contains information directly related to the student.  However, the records listed in the following category are excluded.

RESTRICTED RECORDS
The following records are considered restricted and are not included in the "Education Records" noted above.  They are not available for inspection by the student or his representative except as noted.

1. Records kept by education personnel which remain in the sole possession of the maker.
2. Law enforcement records maintained by Public Safety.
3. Employment records which relate exclusively to employment.
4. Records of professionals providing medical or psychological treatment to the student.  However, the student may have an appropriate professional review of such records.

STUDENT RIGHT OF ACCESS TO RECORDS
Any student, regardless of age, who is or has been in attendance at Georgia Southern University has the right to inspect and review his or her "Education Record" within a reasonable period of time after requesting to do so (not to exceed 45 days).  However, the student shall not have access to:

1. Financial records of parents.
2. Confidential letters or recommendation concerning admissions placed in the record prior to January 1, 1975.
3. Letters of recommendation concerning admission, application for employment or honors for which the student has signed a waiver.
4. Transcripts received from other institutions.  Students may inspect transcripts from other institutions but may not obtain copies of these records.  Students may request personal copies of these records from the institutions that issued them.

Any student desiring to inspect his "Education Record" should consult the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official designated as responsible for that part of his record to be inspected.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION IN EDUCATION RECORD
Release of personally identifiable student information will not be allowed without the written consent of the student except as follows:
 1. Georgia Southern University personnel, where such persons have a legitimate educational interest and demonstrate a need to know to the official responsible for the record.
 2. Officials of other schools where the student seeks to enroll.  The student will be notified of the release of such information and will be provided a copy of the record if requested.
 3. Representatives of Federal Agencies authorized by law to have access to education records, and state education authorities.
 4. Appropriate persons in connection with a student's application for receipt of financial aid.
 5. State and local officials to whom information must be released pursuant to a state statute adopted prior to November 19, 1974.
 6. Organizations conducting studies for the institution.
 7. Accrediting  organizations.
 8. Parents of a dependent student, as determined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
 9. Necessary persons in emergency situations to protect health and safety.
10. Persons designated in subpoenas or court orders. (Records will be released in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.  However, every reasonable effort will be made to notify the student in advance of the compliance).

Students may complete a FERPA Consent form to authorize release of their educational record information to specific individuals named in the release by completing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Consent form in the Student’s Personal Setting menu in their MyGeorgiaSouthern (https://my.georgiasouthern.edu/) account.