Frequently Asked Questions
Open Meetings

Yes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which affords students certain rights in respect to their educational records. The intent of this Act is to protect the privacy of students and their records.

• Maintaining confidential student educational records in an appropriate manner.
• Limiting access to student education records to those with a "legitimate educational interest".
• Annual notification to students via printed material and the web through the Office of the Registrar.

Any "personally identifiable" information that would make a student's identity easily traceable, including;

• Social security number
• Grades and GPA
• Class schedules
• Transcripts

Information which the University will make available to the public unless a student has specifically requested its restriction by completing a Non-Disclosure Request. Examples include:

• The student's name
• Address
• Telephone numbers
• Dates of attendance
• Admitted College / Majors
• Degrees Awarded
• Full or part-time status
• Classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Honors
• Weight / height of athletes

Students may "opt out" of having all or part of their Directory Information disclosed without their express permission by completing a Non-Disclosure Request. The Non-Disclosure Request form is available online and in the Registrar's office.

• When the record is not an educational record. Examples include: medical records, employment records, counseling records, police reports, etc. However, these records may be covered by other privacy laws and may be maintained by other University areas.
• Once a student is deceased, although the University continues to respect the rights of the student. These situations are handled on a case by case basis.

Yes. Students may review all of their educational records except:

• The portions of their educational records mentioning other students
• The financial records of their parents
• Letters of recommendation (where they waive access)

Yes, under the following circumstances:

• To a school official where there is a "legitimate educational interest"
• To another institution where you are seeking to be enrolled
• To the Department of Education or state/local educational authorities (to meet legal requirements)
• For the receipt of financial aid
• To state/local officials as specified by law
• To organizations doing studies on behalf of the University to improve instruction, administer student aid or develop predictive tests
• To accrediting agencies
• To parents of dependent students (as defined by the IRS)
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
• For a heath or safety emergency
• To the alleged victim of a crime of violence (information from a disciplinary proceeding)
• To parents of any student under 21 for violation of substance abuse law or policy
• Disclosure of "directory information" when the student has not restricted access to this information

Visit UNF Registrar's Office webpage: www.unf.edu/registrar/ferpa/ 

FERPA website: /www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html