FERPA deals specifically with the education records of students, affording them certain rights with respect to those records. For purposes of definition, what qualifies as education records is specifically defined.
FERPA gives students who reach the age of 18 or who attend a postsecondary institution the right to inspect and review their own education records. Furthermore, the right to request amendment of records and to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from these records, shift from the parent to the students at this time.
FERPA applies to the education records of persons who are or have been in attendance in postsecondary institutions, including students in cooperative and correspondence study programs, video conference, satellite, internet, or other electronic forms. FERPA does not apply to records of applicants for admission who are denied acceptance or, if accepted, do not attend an institution.
With certain exceptions, an education record is any student record that meets two specific standards. Education records contain information that is personally identifiable to a student and are maintained by the university. They can be in any medium, including handwritten, print, email, magnetic tape, film, diskette, etc. that are in the possession of any school official, including academic advisors, professors, financial aid staff, etc.
Certain types of records are exceptions and not part of an education record.
Under FERPA, directory information is defined as information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. A school may disclose directory information to third parties without consent if it has given public notice of the types of information which it has designated as directory information, the parent's or eligible student's right to restrict the disclosure of such information, and the period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the school in writing that he or she does not want any or all of those types of information designated as directory information.
Students may ask the university not to publicly disclose their directory information. Be aware, however, that if you’re seeking employment, the Registrar’s Office cannot release your enrollment, degree status nor major to anyone unless you come to the Registrar’s Office with a photo ID. Email Registrar@ucdenver.edu for details.
Directory Information Can be Released
*Campus email addresses are only disclosed to requestors who agree not to use them for solicitation.
Although these items are designated by CU-Denver as directory information, only a limited amount of this information is routinely disclosed by CU-Denver university officials. The university retains the discretion to refuse disclosure of directory information if it believes such disclosure would be an infringement on student privacy rights.
Non-Directory Information Cannot be Released
The AACRAO 2012 FERPA guide
LeRoy Rooker- Tina Falkner- American Associated of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers – 2012 FERPA and Virtual Learning During COVID-19, March 30, 2020.
U.S Department of Education- Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA)