Student Handbook - FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of, and limit access to, student education records.  The law affords students the following rights with respect to their education records:  (1) the right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days from the day Rice University receives a request for access; (2) the right to seek amendment of the student's education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA; (3) the right to provide written consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information (as defined by law) contained in the student's education records, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and (4) the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Rice University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the federal office that administers FERPA is:  Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5901.

A students should make written request to any offices that maintain student education records, identifying the record(s) student wishes to inspect.  Though not exhaustive, as a guide for students, this is a list of offices which maintain student education records: Admission Office; Office of the Registrar; Office of the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs; Office of the Dean of Undergraduates; Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Office of Financial Aid; Career Services; Office of Student Activities; Office of Academic Advising; Office of International Students and Scholars; Cashier's Office; and departmental offices.  The appropriate Rice 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 Rice official to whom the request is submitted, that Rice official will advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

Any questions, problems, or written requests for amendment of records should be submitted to the Dean of Undergraduates, the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies or to the Registrar.  A student who wishes to ask Rice University to amend a record should clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.  If Rice University decides not to amend the record as requested, Rice University will notify the student in writing of the decision and of 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.

Rice University may disclose personally identifiable information to school officials with legitimate educational interests who require this information in order to perform instructional, supervisory, advisory, administrative or other duties for Rice University.  School officials include faculty, staff, contractors, auditors, attorneys, collection agents, Trustees, volunteers or students serving on official committees, such as disciplinary or grievance committees, or assisting another school official. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional rsponsibility for Rice University.

As permitted by FERPA, Rice University reserves the right to publish directory information without prior consent.  Directory information consists of name; local and permanent address; telephone and mobile numbers and campus electronic mail address; instant messenger address; date and place of birth; major and minor fields of study; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of athletic team members; the most recent previous education agency or institution; and photographic image.  Students who prefer this information not be released must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing, preferably before the end of the second week of fall classes; thereafter the University will not release such information until a contrary notice or consent is received from the student.

For more information regarding FERPA, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at:  www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.