FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students the ability to inspect their records, and limits others from accessing that information.

View a Complete Statement of Student Rights

For a complete statement of student rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), see Article 8 (Administrative Regulations) of UB’s Rules and Regulations and UB’s Access to Student Information Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Policy.

The preceding information constitutes official public notice of the university’s compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Any student having questions about this should contact the Office of Student Conduct and Advocacy.

Office of Student Conduct and Advocacy

9 Norton Hall

Phone: 716-645-6154

Individuals and Organizations That Can View Student Records

FERPA was enacted to protect student information. It mandates that students are allowed to inspect their education records and limit others from reviewing that information without the student’s permission, unless allowable as described below.

The following individuals and organizations can review a student’s educational records:

  • School officials and SUNY System Administration with a legitimate educational interest in the records.
  • Appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency. This includes educational records as well as directory information, and/or personally identifiable, non-directory information with or without student consent.
  • Potential schools where the student intends to enroll.
  • Officials with a subpoena or permission due to a judicial order.
  • Organizations providing financial aid to the student (parent payments are not included here).
  • Officials complying with federal, state or local audits or compliance investigations.
  • Government entities with a legitimate need for the records (ie, IRS, military recruiters, etc.).

Limited Third-Party Access under FERPA

All privacy rights transfer to the student upon the age of 18 or when the student moves into a post-secondary educational institution unless the third party (e.g., parent, guardian, spouse, etc.) can prove that the student is still their dependent. If the student is not their dependent, then the third party may only view/receive directory information.

Allow UB to Share Information: FERPA Information Disclosure Consent

Students have the option of allowing the offices of Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Accounts, Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center, academic departments, and advisors, and 1Capen to discuss specific academic and/or financial information with one or more identified individuals. Students should submit the FERPA Information Disclosure Consent form to allow for the disclosure of their personal information. The student may revoke this access at any time by submitting a new form.

FERPA Information Disclosure Consent Form

UBIT name and password required

Students who attended the university before spring 2011 should contact the Office of the Registrar to grant or revoke access to records.

Office of the Registrar

1Capen (North Campus), Buffalo, NY 14260-1631; 1Diefendorf (South Campus)

Phone: 716-645-5698; Fax: 716-645-7762

Email: ubregistrar@buffalo.edu

UB May Share / Release Directory Information

Unless otherwise notified in writing, the University at Buffalo has a student’s permission to release their name, current address, telephone number, and other information.

> Learn more about Directory Information, including how to prevent UB from releasing it to outside parties

UB Faculty/Staff FERPA Requirements

Faculty and staff are required to protect the privacy of student information. Faculty and staff may not discuss any information about a student with a parent or a spouse without written permission from the student. If a student has requested that their information not be listed, then faculty and staff may not provide any information about that student, including acknowledging that that student attends UB.

Handling Data Safely at UB Course

University staff and faculty are educated on how to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of employee, applicant, student and donor information. University staff and faculty are required to complete a Handling Data Safely at UB course. This course provides information regarding the state and federal laws and university policies that govern access to and use of non-public personal, private and sensitive information about employees, applicants, students and donors. Upon completion of the course, staff and faculty are required to agree to maintain the confidentiality of private data.

Learn More About FERPA