Rights and Privacy
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law (20 U.S.C. 1232g) that protects the privacy of a student's educational record. FERPA applies to all educational institutions receiving funds from the United States Department of Education, from kindergarten through university level.
The U.S. Department of Education summarizes the rights afforded to students by FERPA as follows:
- The right to inspect and review their educational records within a reasonable period of time and no more than 30 days after the institution has received the request
- The right to request to amend inaccuracies in their educational records
- The right to limit disclosure of some personally identifiable information
- The right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office if they feel their FERPA rights have been violated.
FERPA requires universities to provide students with annual notification of these rights. Auburn University's annual notification appears in the Auburn University Bulletin (see "Student Records"). Students who suspect that a FERPA violation has occurred, should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs (Suite 3248 Auburn University Student Center; 334-844-8880) or they can contact the Family Policy Compliance Office within the U.S. Department of Education.
(Adapted from the University of Florida's Division of Student Affairs Web site.)
Last Updated: Feb. 7, 2011
