What are the rights of students?

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day in which Northwestern State University receives a request for access. A student should submit to the University Registrar or other appropriate official a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing re­garding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
  3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without con­sent. The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. Northwestern State University defines School Officials as “those who have a legitimate educational interest. School officials are those employees of the University (trustee, officer, agent, auditor, students serving on university committees, staff members of the Boards of Regents and Supervisors, contractors, volunteers, and other non-employees performing institutional services and functions) who act in the student’s educational interest within the limitations of their need to know.” Legitimate educational interest means “any authorized interest or activity undertaken in the name of the University for which access to an Education Record is necessary or appropriate to the proper performance of the undertaking. This includes faculty, administrators, classified and unclassified employees, legal counsel, auditors, undergraduate student workers, and graduate assistants charged with maintaining Education Records and acting within the course and scope of their employment and authority.”
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

 

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605