What is FERPA?
FERPA stands for the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This law protects the privacy of student education records from kindergarten through graduate school. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds through an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education, and thus most postsecondary schools are covered by and must comply with FERPA requirements.
The security of student records is a concern for the entire LLS Community. Once at LLS, ownership of the record passes from the parents and/or guardians to the student. Please take the time to acquaint yourself with the role all of us have in understanding the need for and protecting the right of the student to confidentiality of records.
Although FERPA requires that education records be kept confidential, records may be disclosed with the written consent of the student; if the disclosure meets one of the statutory exemptions or if the disclosure is directory information and the student has not placed a hold on release of directory information. Students have a right of access to their records (but not necessarily the right to a copy of the record) and a right to request the correction of records that are inaccurate or misleading. If the school denies this request for correction of a record, the student may request a hearing.
What is Directory Information?
Loyola Law School is permitted under provisions of FERPA to release “Directory Information” upon request to anyone within the Law School community and to the general public without a student’s consent.
Directory Information consists of a student’s:
- Name
- Address(es)
- Email address(es)
- Telephone numbers
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Enrollment status
- Dates of attendance
- Anticipated degree and degree date
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Participation in officially recognized activities
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- A student’s personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems
- Most recent educational institution attended
- Photograph
Request to Restrict Directory Information
Students who wish to restrict the release of directory information must submit a signed request in writing to the Office of the Registrar, in Founders Hall (Room 105).
Students who wish to restrict directory information should realize that their names will not appear in the commencement bulletin and other law school publications. Also, employers, credit card companies, loan agencies, scholarship committees and the like will be denied any of the student directory information and will be informed that we have no information available about the individual. Therefore, it is so advised that each student think carefully before making this type of request.
Other FERPA Requirements
Institutions must give students annual notice of their rights under this law, and most institutions accomplish this by having a published student record policy. The statute defines the phrase "education record" broadly as "those records, files documents, and other materials which 1) contain information directly related to a student; and 2) are maintained by an educational institution. Digital records are also covered by FERPA.
The three links directly below are provided to introduce you to the basic concepts for securing student records as it applies to the three constituent groups:
- What does FERPA mean to Eligible Students?
- What does FERPA mean to Parents and Legal Guardians?
- What does FERPA mean to LLS Faculty and Staff?
The following links below are will direct you to additional FERPA information and resources: