Records Privacy

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In 1974, Congress passed the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also known as the Buckley Amendment. Section 1002.22 of Florida Statutes requires public educational institutions to comply with FERPA mandates. College Operating Procedure 03-1701 describes the manner in which FERPA regulations are implemented at Florida SouthWestern State College.

Notification of Access and Review of Student Records

According to FERPA, students have four general rights with respect to their educational records.

1. Students have the right to inspect and review their educational records within 45 days of submitting a written request for access.
2. If a student believes that his or her educational record is inaccurate or misleading, the student can request an amendment to their educational records.
3. Students can request the non-disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education record (except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent).
4. A student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Florida SouthWestern State College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office that administers FERPA can be reached at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education Student Policy Privacy Office 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202

College Operating Procedure 03-1701 (PDF) provides detailed descriptions of the manner in which Florida SouthWestern State College facilitates students’ access to their records and methods for requesting amendments to these records.

Directory Information

The College may disclose student directory information upon request and without written consent from the student. Directory information includes:

1. Student's name
2. Major
3. Date(s) of Enrollment
4. Degree(s) and honors earned with dates earned
5. Participation in Officially Recognized Activities or Sports
6. Enrollment Status (e.g. Full-Time/Part-Time Student Status)
7. Previous Colleges Attended
8. Photographs
9. Awards

Although directory information may be available for release to the general public, the College does not routinely release such information to third parties. FSW does share information with certain college partners, which may act as agents of the College authorized to release student information in the performance of their contracted duties. These partners include: National Student Clearinghouse, BankMobile, Credentials Solutions Inc., CareerSource, Florida public universities, and Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF).

Under FERPA, students have the right to inform Florida SouthWestern State College that directory information is not to be released. Florida SouthWestern State College honors the student's request to restrict the release of "Directory Information" as stated previously. To withhold information, a student must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing. Status of disclosure at the last registration period is binding and all records are noted: "CONFIDENTIAL." No information is to be released without the written consent of the student.

Helpful Links

• FERPA FAQs
• Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO)
• Notice of Collection, Use, and Release of Social Security Numbers
• Florida SouthWestern State College, COP 03-1701 (PDF)
• Florida Statute 1002.22
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations)
• Faculty/Staff FERPA Notification (PDF)
• Student FERPA Notification (PDF)

FERPA Forms

• FERPA Waiver Request (PDF)
• Revoke FERPA Waiver (PDF)
• Written request to withhold directory information (PDF)
• Written request to inspect and review records (PDF)