Office of the University Registrar

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FERPA Definitions

Consent to Disclosure


Permission granted by a student via the Student Link (Personal tab, Consent-to-Disclosure option) to the University to communicate with parents/guardians/others in certain limited circumstances, including the following:

  • The student voluntarily withdraws or takes a leave of absence
  • The student is suspended or dismissed from the University
  • The student is required to leave University housing
  • The permitted person has questions or concerns about the student’s financial aid or student account
  • The student is placed on academic probation (a school or college official may notify parents)

Directory information


Student data that, unless restricted by the student, can be released to third parties upon request, including the following:

  • Academic program (degree, major, minor)
  • Dates of attendance, full-time / part-time status
  • Degrees, honors, and awards received
  • Local address* and BU directory phone number
  • School or college
  • Listing in the Commencement program
  • Listing in the Bostonia Yearbook

*If the University has only a home address in New England or New York, it is considered the local address.

Education records


With certain exceptions, records relating to a student that are maintained by the University.

Parent


A parent of a student and includes a natural parent (custodial and/or non-custodial), a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or guardian.

Personally identifiable information


A student’s name, the name of the student’s parent or other family member, the address of the student or the student’s family, or other information that would allow the student to be identified.

Proof of Enrollment statement


An official document provided by the Office of the University Registrar which includes the following information about a student:

  • Name
  • Degree program
  • BU ID number
  • Semester
  • Start and end dates for each semester
  • Course load
  • Anticipated graduation semester
  • Enrollment status for each semester (Full-time, Half-time, Less than Half-time)

ShareLink


A function on the Student Link (Personal tab, ShareLink Access option) that students can use to grant a parent or other person online access to their transcript, proof of enrollment, and Student Accounting invoice.

Student


One who is, or has been, officially registered, and who attends, or has attended, classes at Boston University.

Academics

  • Course Descriptions
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – FERPA
    • FERPA Definitions
    • FERPA FAQs
    • Release of Information
    • ShareLink Access
  • Final Exam Policy
  • Grades & GPA
  • Spring 2020 Credit-No Credit Grading Policy Guidelines
  • Ordering a Transcript
  • Programs of Study
  • Military Programs

Office of the University Registrar

881 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215 Phone: 617-353-3612 Fax: 617-358-1689 Email: registrar@bu.edu

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