Frequently Asked Questions: FERPA
faqs

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Faculty FAQs

 

May I access confidential information about students?

Legitimate educational interest pertains to the performing of duties related to the furtherance of the student, education, institution, or business. Individuals deemed to have legitimate educational interest may gain access to student educational records. Individuals with legitimate educational interest may include, but are not limited to, appropriate College administrators, faculty and staff members, and the Board of Trustees. As part of their normal functions, Rollins College faculty members are not deemed to have legitimate educational interest.

 

How does FERPA affect letters of recommendation?

A faculty member may write a letter of recommendation for a student or former student, disclosing personal observations only, without the student’s consent.

In cases where a recommendation requires information contained in a student or former student’s educational records and/or the disclosure of confidential information to a third party, the student is required to submit written permission to the student records office prior to that information being released.

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What information may I disclose to parents?

Parents, like any other third party, are granted access only to the student’s directory information without the student’s written permission. If a student has restricted the release of his/her directory information, then his/her directory information is also considered confidential.

Rollins College classifies the following information as “directory information:”

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • E-mail address
  • Date and place of birth
  • Individually identifiable photographs of the student solicited or maintained directly by Rollins as part of the educational record
  • Enrollment status, full-/part-time classification, and class level
  • College/division, dates of attendance, and class schedule
  • Major and minor field(s) of study
  • Expected and actual graduation date
  • Degrees, awards, and honors received
  • Official athletic participation and athlete height and weight
  • Name and location of most recent previously attended educational institution

No other forms of information may be discussed with parent(s)/guardian(s) without the written permission of the student.

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Does FERPA affect the return of assignments?

FERPA prohibits the disclosure of students’ personally identifiable information without the students’ written permission. Extreme care should be exercised to protect confidentiality and such information when returning students’ assignments.

 

Does FERPA affect the posting of grades?

FERPA prohibits the disclosure of students’ personally identifiable information without the students’ written permission. As such, extreme care should be exercised to protect confidentiality and such information when posting students’ grades. Grades should not be posted in public arenas, even if items like R-numbers or Social Security Numbers are used instead of names (personally identifiable information). Grades are permitted to be posted to BlackBoard, so long as the grades are posted in an individual manner by which students are required to log in using their BlackBoard username and password and are able to access their grades only.

 

How do I properly dispose of confidential information?

Please follow the steps outlined in the College’s Data Security and Stewardship Policy at: http://www.rollins.edu/hr/services/risk_management/documents/DataSecurity_Stewardship.pdf.

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Who should I contact with questions or concerns?

General inquiries:       

Student records:        

Student financial aid records:

Student financial records:

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