Family Educational Rights Privacy Act of 1974

Jefferson State complies with the provisions of this Act, which relates to that section of Public Law 93-380 (H.R. 69) entitled “Protection of the Rights of Privacy of Parents and Students.” This act in its entirety is available in the offices of the Deans and Enrollment Services.

Notification Of Rights Under FERPA

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

They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Division Chair, Dean of Instruction or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the college official to whom the request was submitted does not maintain the records, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official for the record; clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure. Jefferson State considers a student’s name, dates of attendance, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities, degrees and awards received as public information and available for disclosure without a student’s written consent. Jefferson State will also comply with requests for information in accordance with the Solomon Amendment. Additional information defined as directory information by FERPA may be released in accordance with state and federal requirements without a student’s written consent.

   Disclosure is permitted to representatives of Jefferson State with legitimate educational reasons to review a student’s educational record. A school representative is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the college has contracted, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent; a person serving on the Jefferson State Foundation; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school representative in performing his or her tasks.
   
   Note: Students who do not want any public or directory information released to representatives independent of the college should complete the appropriate form online at www.jeffersonstate.edu/forms or in Enrollment Services on the Jefferson, Shelby-Hoover, St. Clair-Pell City, or Chilton- Clanton Campuses.

4. FERPA assigns rights to students once they reach eighteen years of age or enroll in a postsecondary institution. Included in these rights is the right to release information. A person, other than the student, requesting information on a student must submit written authorization from the student. Students requesting information must present photo identification before the information will be released to them.
5. Students who feel that this policy has been applied unfairly to their situation have the right to appeal. Students should follow the grievance procedures as outlined in the Catalog and Student Handbook.
   
   In the event the matter is not resolved, the student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Jefferson State Community College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Written complaints should be directed to: The Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20202-4605; (202) 260-3887, FAX (202) 260-9001.
    
6. Jefferson State Community College complies with the provisions of the *Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which relates to that section of Public Law 93-380 (H.R. 69) entitled “Protection of the Rights of Privacy of Parents and Students.” This Act affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records and includes, but is not limited to, the right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure.
   
   The College recognizes that the National Student Clearinghouse, a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Virginia, provides a nationwide, central repository for information on the enrollment status of postsecondary education students. Jefferson State has appointed the Clearinghouse its agent for purposes of reporting information on the enrollment status of its students to Eligible Requestors. In accordance with the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, the college will provide the Clearinghouse with an electronic listing containing the enrollment status of all its students. Students who do not want public or directory information released to representatives independent of the college should complete a Non-Disclosure Information Form in Enrollment Services at one of the Jefferson State locations.
   
   *The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 are available in their entirety in the offices of the deans and Enrollment Services.

Student Right-to-Know And Campus Security Act Of 1990

The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act required all postsecondary institutions that receive federal aid to disclose certain information, including the graduation and transfer rates for first-time college students who enroll in the fall term as full-time, degree or certificate-seeking students. Those rates for the 2019 cohort are published in the 2023- 2024 Catalog and Student Handbook.

Graduation and transfer-out rates for students who received athletically-related financial aid are available on the Athletic Department website. Prospective student athletes, their parents, coaches, and counselors are given a copy of the annual disclosure information, by race, gender, and sport, at the time they are being recruited.

Regarding campus crime statistics, the college publishes an annual disclosure report that is available in various college offices, including the Campus Police and Visitors’ Information Center at all campuses. Additionally, the statistics specified in the Act are published annually in the Catalog and Student Handbook, which is also on the college’s website: www.jeffersonstate.edu.