Records Privacy

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In 1974, Congress passed the Family 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

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, Parchment, CareerSource, Florida public universities, and Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF).

FERPA Waiver Request

Complete this form to establish permission for FSW to release student record information to designated third parties (parents, spouse, etc.). While FERPA prohibits an educational institution from releasing non-directory information about a student without the student’s consent, a student may waive this right for a specific, designated third party by completing this form.

Note: This form may only be submitted by the student with photo identification either in person at the Office of the Registrar or via live videoconferencing software since strict, rigorous identification standards apply. Also note, this permission does not provide the designated third parties with the ability to change, modify, or take action on a student’s record. Once this form is submitted, it is active until the student notifies the Office of the Registrar in writing to end permission.

Revoke FERPA Waiver

This form serves as a signed revocation of consent for FSW to release educational records to individuals or “third parties” previously identified on the FSW FERPA Waiver Request.

Written Request to Withhold Directory Information

In accordance with FERPA, Directory Information can be released to the general public; however, students may withhold this information from being released by completing this form.

Written Request to Inspect and Review Records

All permanent, official, and final education records are maintained by the Office of the Registrar. A student will be afforded access to review her or his record within a reasonable time after submission of this form to the Office of the Registrar. NOTE: Same-date requests are not granted, and students may not obtain copies of records, as the information contained therein remains the property of FSW.

• 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) - Fall 2023
• Student FERPA Notification (PDF) - Fall 2023