Student’s Right to Privacy (FERPA)

SE Catalog > University Compliance > Student’s Right to Privacy (FERPA)

Notification of Rights under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Vice President for Student Affairs written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  2. The right to request amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate by writing the University official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specifying why it is inaccurate. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
  3. 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 permits disclosure without consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee. Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Southeastern Oklahoma State University to comply with FERPA requirements: Family Policy Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education
    400 Maryland Avenue, SW
    Washington, DC 20202-4605
  5. The right to request that directory information not be published. Students have the right to refuse the release of information identified as directory information. To exercise this right, the student must appear in person in the Office of the Registrar by the last day to drop/add a class and sign a form stipulating that information not be released.

Directory Information

Information that Southeastern Oklahoma State University has declared to be directory information:

  • Student’s name
  • Local and permanent addresses
  • Telephone number
  • Date and place of birth
  • Last school attended
  • Major field of study
  • Academic classification
  • Participation in officially recognized organizations, activities, and sports
  • Dates of attendance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
  • Degree(s) held, date granted, and institution(s) granting such degree(s)
  • Enrollment status (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, graduate)
  • Awards granted (Honor Rolls, Who’s Who, etc.)
  • Photographs
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • Electronic mail addresses

Students wanting to know more about FERPA may refer to 20 U.S.C. ยง1232g or visit the SE website and look for FERPA in the Student Handbook.