Policy Statement In Compliance With "The Family Rights &
Privacy Act of 1974"
(Buckley Amendment) and the "Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law of
1957"
The Family Rights & Privacy Act and the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know law grant to all
students the right to review and inspect their educational records. These educational
records are those official files, documents, and related materials which contain
information directly related to students and which are maintained by Kutztown University
or officials acting for Kutztown University. AS INDICATED IN ARTICLE 3 IN SECTION 3 OF THE
DOCUMENT ON STUDENT RIGHTS AND WELFARE PUBLISHED IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOK, THE KEY,
these reports are available to students upon request. Students may inspect them in the
presence of a University official within a reasonable time after a written request is
submitted to the appropriate official. In no event shall this period exceed 45 days. The
following records are not available to students:
- Personal notes of counselors.
- Police records.
- Parent’s financial aid statements.
- Records of a meeting between a dean and a student which are in "sole possession of
the maker and not revealed to another individual."
- Data of federal, state and local offices involved in educational research.
Students are accorded the right, in the presence of a University official, to inspect
official University records, files, and data which refer directly to them. Where the
records contain information relative to third persons, students will be informed by
University officials of only that information which pertains specifically to them.
Students are entitled to challenge or add to the factual basis of an entry contained in
the records for the purpose of correcting misleading, inaccurate, or inappropriate data
contained therein. With the exception of student teaching or internship evaluations, the
substantive judgment of a faculty member about a student’s work expressed in grades
and/or evaluations is not within the purview of this right to challenge. Challenges should
be submitted to the appropriate University official in whose area the questioned material
is appropriate. Corrections or deletions may be made by that official without a formal
hearing. Appeals may be made through the normal administrative structure.
Kutztown University shall not release educational records or personal information to
anyone without the expressed written consent of the student.
EXCEPT:
- Current directory information which shall include student’s name, address,
telephone number, data and place of birth, major field of study, participation in
recognized activities and spots, height and weight of members of athletic teams, dates of
attendance, degrees and awards conferred, and most recent previous educational
institutions attended. (A STUDENT MAY REQUEST THAT NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER BE
USED FOR INTERNAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. THIS IS TO BE
ACCOMPLISHED BY FILING A WRITTEN REQUEST WITH THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR DURING THE
REGISTRATION PROCESS.)
- School officials of the Kutztown University community who have a legitimate professional
right-to-know.
- Government officials using such information to audit, evaluate and enforce federal legal
requirements and/or state statutes.
- Federal, state, and local police officials who present a subpoena.
- Persons, in any emergency, if the knowledge, in fact, is necessary to protect the health
or safety of students or other persons.
Kutztown University is unable to approve a student request to release educational
records when those records are sealed or when they did not originate at Kutztown
University.
In this policy statement Kutztown University recognizes both the privacy rights of
individual and the need to control what information may be disclosed as well as the
institution’s need for information relevant to the fulfillment of its educational
missions and its purpose of facilitating the educational development of students.
In summary, this statement provides that student records are open, that students have
access to them, that students can challenge them, that students can maintain
confidentiality even over directory information upon prior written request, and can
receive counsel from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs should questions
arise with regard to this policy. Should questions remain unanswered appeals may be made
to the University President.
A student who wishes to allege a failure by the University to comply with the Family
Rights and Privacy Act may file a complaint in writing concerning any alleged violation of
this Act to:
Family Rights and Privacy Act Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Students are defined as individuals currently or previously matriculated in a academic
offering of the University. Prospective students, including those accepted for admission
but not yet enrolled, do not fall within the jurisdiction of this policy.
For additional FERPA information you may contact:
Dr. Charles J. Woodard
Vice President for Student Affairs
FERPA Coordinator
315 Stratton Administration Bldg.
(610) 683-4020
woodard@kutztown.edu
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