FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA/Buckley Amendment)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA provides that educational institutions, such as postsecondary institutions, may disclose education records, or personally identifiable information from such records, only if an eligible student has provided prior written consent, except in several specified circumstances.

The University of Maryland Baltimore adheres to the policy of compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

  • To permit students to inspect their educational records.
  • To limit disclosure to others of personally identifiable information from education record without student's prior written consent.
  • To provide students the opportunity to seek correction of their educational records where appropriate.
  • Prior consent will not be required for disclosure of educational record to school officials of the University of Maryland who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests.
  • Certain information has been designated "Directory Information" and will be disclosed without prior consent unless a student file written notice.

University of Maryland Baltimore directory information is limited to: name, address, UMB email address, telephone listing, photograph, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational institution attended.

Students who wish to limit the disclosure of Directory Information or “Opt Out” will submit via SURFS .

For the complete UMB policy on Confidentiality and Disclosure of Student Records see UMB Policy .

Students who wish to file a complaint under FERPA, should do so in writing to the Family Policy Compliance Office, sending pertinent information through the mail, concerning any allegations to the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

More information regarding FERPA can be found here 

 

 

Revisions and clarifications of this policy will be published as the law warrants.