FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Official Notice to Students

Directory information is information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), A&M-Texarkana gives notice that the following directory information may be made public unless the student desires to withhold the information.

Directory Information Includes:

• Student’s name
• Addresses- local, permanent
• University email
• Telephone listings- both local and permanent
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and awards received
• Number of hours enrolled
• Enrollment status (Undergraduate, Graduate, classification, etc.)
• Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended

Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information

Any student who objects to the release of directory information must notify the Registrar's Office in writing by submitting the "Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information" form that he or she does not wish to have such information released. This request will be honored, and all of the information will be held confidential.  Texas A&M University-Texarkana and the Office of the Registrar will exercise discretion in the release of all directory information.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is Family Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Statement of Rights

Texas A&M University-Texarkana encourages students to exercise all of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and  Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).  Operating under the premise that the educational process is a cooperative venture between a student and the University, we emphasize the following rights of eligible students:

1. The right to inspect and review, with certain limited exceptions, the student's educational records, including the right to receive explanations and interpretations of the records and to obtain copies of the records when such are needed  to allow the student to effectively exercise his/her right of inspection and review.
   • Students who want to inspect and review their education records should submit a written request that identifies the record(s) to the Registrar’s Office (registrar@tamut.edu). The Registrar’s Office 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 Registrar’s Office, the Registrar’s Office will advise the student of the correct school official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent;
   • One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational  interests.  A school official is a person or entity:
     • employed by the university or the university system in an  administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position;
     • serving on a university governing  body or duly authorized panel or committee; or
     • employed by or under contract to the university to perform a special  task, function, or service for the university.
   • A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the information requested is necessary for that official to 
     • perform appropriate tasks that are specified in his/her position description or in the performance of regularly assigned  duties by a lawful supervisor;
     • fulfill the terms of a contractual agreement;
     • perform a task related to a student's  education;
     • perform a task related to the discipline of a student; or
     • provide a service or benefit relating to the  student or student's family, such as health care, financial aid, job placement, or former student-related activities.
   • Disclosure to a school official having a legitimate educational interest does not constitute university authorization to  transmit, share, or disclose any or all information received to third parties unless such disclosure is permitted or required by law.
3. The right to correct a student's education records when the records are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of FERPA.
   • A student wishing to seek amendment of education records should notify the Registrar’s Office (registrar@tamut.edu). The notice must be written and specifically identify the desired amendment and the basis for the request. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student in writing of the decision and 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.
4. The right to report violations of FERPA to the Department of Education;

All the rights and protections given students under FERPA belong to the student, however, information in student records may be provided to parents/legal guardians without the written consent of the student if the eligible student is a financial dependent of his or her parents/legal guardians as defined under Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

FERPA Release Form

Under provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students enrolled in post-secondary educational institutions are deemed to “own” their educational records.  Institutions may, but are not required, to grant access to certain non-directory information in a student's educational record if the student is claimed as a  dependent on his or her parent's/guardian's federal income tax return.  Non-directory information will not be released to a parent or guardian unless a FERPA Release Form is completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.  This form can be submitted via Web for Student's.  Log in required.

Questions?

Questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) may be referred to the Registrar's Office located in the University Center Building, 2nd floor, room UC260, or email registrar@tamut.edu, or call 903-334-6601.