FERPA Information at Adelphi University

The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or another appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the students of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. This right applies to education records, except financial records of the students’ parents/guardians; records connected with an application to attend the University if that application was denied; confidential letters of recommendation for admission, employment, awards, or recognition, for which the students have waived their right to access; or those records which are excluded from the FERPA definition of education records.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Students should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they are requesting to be amended, specifying why it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for the amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

The right to consent before the release of any personally identifiable information from the student’s education record, except in the following circumstances where FERPA permits disclosure without consent:

• To school officials with legitimate educational interest
• To other schools to which a student is transferring
• To specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
• In connection with financial aid to a student
• To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
• To accrediting organizations
• In compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
• To appropriate parties in cases of health and safety emergencies
• To parents of a dependent student as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954
• To parents of students under the age of 21 regarding violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, governing the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance
• To the victim of any alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense concerning the final results of a disciplinary hearing with respect to the alleged crime
• Regarding the final results of a disciplinary proceeding related to a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense if the student is found to have violated the school’s rules or policies
• When the information being disclosed is considered Directory Information unless the student has followed the official procedure to notify the University in writing to withhold the release of Directory Information. Directory information is defined as student name, address, telephone number, email address, photo, class level, enrollment status, major, dates of attendance, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized sports, height and weight of athletes, degrees awarded, honors and awards received, and most recent educational agency or institution attended.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA by contacting the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC, 20202.

Custodians at the University include the Office of Admissions for admissions records, Student Account Services for financial records, Student Financial Services for financial aid records, the Office of Academic Services and Retention for advising records, the Center for Career and Professional Development for credential files, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for conduct records, and the Office of the University Registrar for all academic records.