FERPA Student Rights

Restricting release of directory information

Students must request that information be withheld by updating their status on the Student Information Sharing page and on the Cornell College Directory page.

Specifications outlined by the student in this form are cataloged in the student's record in PowerCampus under "Release Information." Complete and partial directory withheld options are available. For assistance or additional information, students may contact the Registrar's Office.

Information students do not have the right to access

• Financial information submitted by parents
• Confidential letters and recommendations placed in the student's file before 1/1/1975
• Confidential letters, etc., associated with admissions, employment, job placement, or honors to which a student has waived rights of inspection and review
• Educational records containing information about other students, such as grades, test scores, etc.

Information that can be released without student consent

The law allows disclosure of student information without consent to:

• school employees who have a legitimate educational interest
• organizations doing certain studies for, or on behalf of, the College
• appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student to determine eligibility, amount, or conditions of financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of aid.
• parents when:
  • the student is a dependent of the parent for tax purposes as evidenced by appropriate documentation, including the parent's most recent tax return or a student financial aid application
  • a health or safety emergency necessitates disclosure to protect the health or safety of the student or another individual
  • the student is under 21 years of age at the time of the disclosure and the student has violated a federal, state, or local law or any Cornell College policy governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance
• certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, the Attorney General of the United States, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, and state and local educational authorities in connection with an audit or evaluation of federal or state supported education programs, or for the enforcement of, or compliance with, federal legal requirements that relate to those programs
• individuals who have obtained a judicial order or subpoena
• school officials who have a need to know concerning disciplinary action taken against a student
• appropriate parties who need to know in cases of health and safety emergencies when necessary to protect the health and safety of the student and/or others
• state and local authorities, within the juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific state law
• the alleged victim of an incidence of violence the results of a disciplinary proceeding with respect to that incident.
• those requesting directory information on a student provided that the student has not requested his or her information be withheld.
• any member of the public in matters relating to sex offenders and information provided to Cornell College under relevant federal law.
• a court in which the College is defending itself against legal action initiated by a parent or eligible student.
• the originating party identified as the party that provided or created the record. This allows for returning documents, such as official transcripts, that appear to have been falsified back to the institution or school official identified as the creator or sender of the record for confirmation of its status as an authentic record.
• individuals requesting information for students who are deceased.