Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog: Undergraduate, Graduate, and College of Law 
    
2018-2019 Catalog: Undergraduate, Graduate, and College of Law [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)


The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC § 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, including UNT Dallas.

Directory Information

In accordance with FERPA and the policies of UNT Dallas, the following “directory information” may be made public without the consent of the student, unless the student submits a request to withhold any or all of this directory information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • University assigned e-mail address
  • University assigned EUID
  • Date and place of birth
  • Major field of study
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • Dates of attendance
  • Enrollment status
  • Degrees, awards and honors received
  • Expected graduation date
  • Most recent previous school attended
  • Photograph

Currently enrolled students wishing to withhold any or all directory information may do so by submitting a written request in the Office of the Registrar prior to the 12th class day in the fall and spring terms or equivalent dates during the summer sessions. A request to withhold directory information may be submitted after the stated deadline for a term or session, but information may be released between the deadline and receipt of the request. Directory information of a student who has requested withholding of directory information will remain excluded until the student submits a subsequent written request to release directory information.

Student Right to Inspect and Review Records

With limited exception, a student has the right to inspect and review their own education records, to receive explanation and interpretation of the records, and to obtain copies of the records when needed to allow the student to effectively exercise the right of inspection and review. Students seeking to inspect and/or review their education records should contact the appropriate custodian according to the categories of records described below:

Record

Office

Responsible Official

Permanent

Office of the Registrar

Registrar

Academic transcript

Office of the Registrar

Registrar

Disciplinary record

Office of Student Affairs

Dean of Students

Academic disciplinary record

Office of Student Affairs

Dean of Students

Financial Aid

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Accounts

Office of Student Financial Services

Manager of Student Financial Services

Placement

Office of Student Affairs

Dean of Students

Graduate

Office of the Registrar

Registrar

Police

University Police

Chief of Police


If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official will advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

The University will comply with all student requests to review and inspect records within 45 days of the date that the request is submitted to the appropriate records custodian. Students requesting access to their education records may be asked to verify their identity prior to inspection with a government issued photo identification. Students seeking access either electronically or by telephone will be asked to verify their identity by providing information of specific individual relevance - not including a social security number.

Students enrolled at UNT Dallas are deemed to be the owners of their own education records. The University may, but is not required to, grant a parent/guardian access to a student’s education record if the student is identified as a dependent on the parent/guardian’s federal income tax return. Under no circumstances will a student’s education record be released to a parent/guardian without verification of the student’s dependent status on the appropriate federal tax forms.

Student Right to Request Amendment of Education Records

UNT Dallas students have the right to correct their own education records when the records are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. Students may request amendment of their education record by submitting a request to the appropriate records custodian. The University will issue a decision within a reasonable period of time after receiving the student’s request.

Students may challenge a University decision regarding the amendment of an education record by filing a request for a hearing with Student Affairs. The request must identify the contested record and specify the reason that the record is believed to be inaccurate, misleading or a violation of the privacy rights of the student. At the requested hearing the student will be given a full and fair opportunity to present evidence and may, at their own expense, be assisted or represented by one or more other individuals, including an attorney. If the University determines that the education record is not inaccurate, misleading or a violation of the student’s privacy, the student may place a statement in his/her education record commenting on the contested content and/or stating the basis for disagreement with the University’s decision. The University will amend any education record that is determined to be inaccurate, misleading or a violation of the student’s privacy rights.

The right to amend or correct an education record does not apply to routine grade appeals. Contact Student Affairs at (972) 338-1775 for additional details regarding the process for amendment of education records or review the UNT Dallas Student Records Policy (7.003) at http://www.untdallas.edu/hr/upol.

Student’s Right to Consent to Disclosure of Education Records

Except in limited circumstances, UNT Dallas will not release personally identifiable information from a student’s education record without signed, dated, and written consent from the student. A student’s consent to disclose an education record to a third party must specifically identify the education record for which consent is granted, the purpose for the disclosure, and the identity of the person or entity to which the education record is to be disclosed.

Disclosure of Education Records as Permitted without a Student’s Consent

FERPA permits the disclosure of education records without a student’s consent under very limited circumstances. For a full description of the circumstances under which education records may be released without student consent, please consult UNT Dallas Policy 7.003 at http://www.untdallas.edu/hr/upol. The primary circumstances under which disclosure without student consent may occur are as follows:

  • Disclosure to school officials with legitimate education interests.
    UNT Dallas may release a student’s education record to school officials with a legitimate educational interest without a student’s consent. A “school official” includes any administrator, faculty, staff (including law enforcement personnel), member of the Board of Regents, committee member (whether faculty, staff or student) or student employee who performs a function or task on behalf of or at the request of the University, its faculty, colleges, departments or divisions. A “school official” may also include contractors, consultants, volunteers or other individuals or entities to whom the University has outsourced a University function (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent). A “legitimate educational interest” means the interest of UNT Dallas officials who have demonstrated a legitimate need to review the education record to fulfill their official professional responsibilities. 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.
  • Disclosure to parents.
    UNT Dallas may release a student’s education record to a student’s parent/guardian when: (1) the student is a dependent for tax purposes as evidenced by appropriate documentation, including the parent’s most recent federal income tax return of a student’s application for student financial aid; (2) when a health or safety emergency necessitates disclosure to protect the health or safety of the student or another individual; (3) when the student is under the age of 21 and has violated a Federal, State or local law or UNT Dallas policy governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance which results in a violation of the Code of Conduct.
  • Disclosure to appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency.
  • Disclosure to another school to which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
  • Disclosure in connection with a student’s request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms or conditions of the aid.
  • Disclosure pursuant to compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
  • Certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Attorney General, the Comptroller General, state and local education authorities, and certain state or federally supported education programs.
  • Disclosure to organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the University.
  • Disclosure to accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
  • Disclosure to an alleged victim of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense. The disclosure may only include the final results of any University disciplinary proceeding with respect to the alleged crime or offense, regardless of whether the University concluded a violation occurred.
  • Disclosure to the general public if the University determines as a results of a disciplinary hearing that the student committed a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense in violation of University rules or policy or state or federal law.
  • Disclosure if allowed to be reported or disclosed pursuant to state law adopted before November 19, 1974.
  • Disclosure to the student.

Student’s Right to Report Violations of FERPA

A student who believes that UNT Dallas has failed to comply with its obligations under FERPA may file a complaint with:

The United States Department of Education
Family Policy Compliance Office
400 Maryland Avenue S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605