FERPA

According to FERPA, student grades must not be released or made available to third parties. UCF policy restricts instructors from posting grades in classrooms, or on Websites unless the student’s identity is concealed by a secure password-entry interface (i.e., myUCF). More information is available on the myUCF Grades pagelet. Faculty and staff may post grades by doing the following:

1. Ask the student to supply a self-chosen code identifier. This identifier may be known only to faculty and their teaching assistant.
2. Create and assign a list of randomly generated numbers/characters known and available only to faculty (or their teaching assistant) and the student.
3. Ask each student to supply written, signed and dated authorization to use their UCFID to post grades. Then, post the grades using the UCFID numerals only. Faculty must store and maintain each student’s written consent.

Direct discussion of non-directory information (grades, academic performance or standing) is not permissible under FERPA without written permission or in verified and consenting presence.

Students can authorize the release of their records in two ways:

• Come to the Registrar’s Office to complete a Records Release Authorization form. Complete it and turn it into the Registrar’s Office with a photo ID.
• Go to my.ucf.edu and sign in using their NID and password.Then go to Student Self-Service > Student Center > Personal Information > Records Release Authorization.
  Follow the directions on-screen and create a new release authorization.
  On the next page, students will see a list of records for which you can authorize their release. This includes academic standing, GPA, and GRE test scores.
  Please list the name of the person or organization to release the records to and the purpose of disclosure.
  (Be specific about whom University faculty and staff can release records to and be specific about what we can talk about. Just saying “You can talk about anything” or “Everything!” is not specific enough.)
  If the student wishes to have records disclosed by phone, click the box for disclosure by phone and give a passcode word/phrase.
  If the student wishes to have records disclosed by email, write out the specific email address to communicate with and give a passcode word/phrase.
  When finished, click SAVE. This release is in effect until the student chooses to cancel it.

Under FERPA the rights transfer from the parents to the student once they turn 18 years old or enter a postsecondary institution at any age. Although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to a student, a school may disclose information from an “eligible student’s” education records to parents, without consent, if the parent claims the student as a dependent for tax purposes in the last tax year. Neither the age of the student nor the parent’s status as a custodial parent is relevant.

Given that we cannot authenticate the identity of someone over the phone, the Registrar’s Office would relay to parents (who have met the above criteria) the information asked for in a face-to-face meeting, preferably in the student’s presence as well as a member of the Registrar’s Office professional staff.

If you have concerns or believe your rights under FERPA may have been violated, please contact the Registrar’s Office by emailing with the subject line “FERPA Concern.”

Students also have the right to file a complaint under FERPA by doing so in writing to the Family Policy Compliance Office, sending pertinent information through the mail, concerning any allegations to the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
Phone: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)

• Personnel within the University that have a legitimate educational interest.
• School officials at other institutions where the student is seeking to enroll.
• Personnel or organizations determining financial aid decisions or providing
  financial aid to the student.
• Parents of students where the student status is determined as a dependent under IRS code of 1986, section 152.
• Accrediting organizations in the performance of their accrediting duties.
• Persons in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. The institution shall first make reasonable attempt to notify the student, unless the subpoena is issued from a federal grand jury, or issued for a law-enforcement purpose, and orders the University not to notify the student.
• Persons in an emergency, if the knowledge or information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or person.

Information on FERPA training can be found here.

All faculty and staff who handle educational and identification information for students, including class rosters and grades, are required to complete training.