FERPA and Confidentiality
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The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, otherwise known as FERPA, is a Federal Law introduced to give students certain
rights regarding the confidentiality of their educational records.
FERPA establishes the rights of the parents and students of any school which receives federal educational funds. It requires that a written institutional policy complying with the act be established and that a statement of the adopted procedures be published. Our official publication is the "Confidentiality of Student Records" and is available for review in the University Policy website.
The University of Toledo will not release sensitive information to a third party without the written consent from the student such as:
- Student ID or Social Security number
- Grade point average
- Grades
- Courses taken
- Student's schedule
FERPA gives colleges and universities the ability to release non-academic information, or "directory information", without the written consent of the student.
Directory Information includes:
- Student name
- Local address and local phone number
- Permanent zip code
- College and major field of study
- Full-time or part-time enrollment status
- Class (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
- University E-mail address
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees, certificates, and awards received
- Student activities
- Student photograph
- Graduate Medical Education placement (MD students only)
At its discretion the university may provide health directory information upon written request from a "public health authority" for the purposes of controlling or preventing the spread of a "disease of major public health concern." A "Public Health Authority" is an agency or authority of the United States government, a State, a territory, or a political subdivision of a State or territory, that is responsible for public health matters as part of its official mandate, as well as a person or entity acting under a grant of authority from, or under a contract with, a public health agency. A "Disease of major public health concern" is one designated by the Ohio Department of Health because of the severity of the disease or potential of epidemic spread.
Health Directory Information includes:
- Student name
- Local address and local phone number
- University email address
- Course enrollment and attendance
- Full-time or part-time enrollment status
- Seating assignment(s)
Students may restrict the release of their Directory Information and Health Directory Information at any point throughout the year by selecting the Update Directory Information/Release Status option in the Student tab on the myUT portal or by visiting the Office of the Registrar. Requests to restrict directory information will be processed immediately.
If you have questions regarding FERPA, please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@utoledo.edu.
FERPA Prior Consent Forms for meetings
If a student requests to have someone with them such as a parent, guardian, spouse,
or friend, when discussing their educational records with a University official, please
complete a FERPA Prior Consent form for meetings. This form states that the student gives consent to the disclosure of their educational
records, including personally identifiable information for the purpose of a specific
discussion or review on a specific date. The University official must retain this
release for future reference.