The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student\u2019s education records. In compliance with FERPA, Boston University does not disclose personally identifiable information contained in student education records, except as authorized by law.<\/p>\n
In general, students have the right to:<\/p>\n
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Boston University may disclose Directory Information<\/a> without a student\u2019s consent. Students may restrict the disclosure of any item of Directory Information via Identity & Access Management<\/a> (Update My Personal Information section).<\/p>\n The right to restrict disclosure of Directory Information does not include the right to remain anonymous in class and may not be used to impede classroom communication.<\/p>\n Please Note: Even after graduation, privacy preferences remain in effect. For example, if a student has restricted the disclosure of degrees, honors and awards, the University will not confirm degrees earned to prospective employers or any other party without the student\u2019s permission.<\/p>\n BU students can grant secure internet access to certain education records to parents or other third parties in MyBU Student<\/a> (Manage Guests section). Access can be for as little as one day or for as much as one year, at the student\u2019s discretion.<\/p>\n Access can be granted to view:<\/p>\n If a student has provided consent to the disclosure of information from his or her education records to a parent, guardian or other third party (via MyBU Student<\/a> Manage Guests), the University will communicate with the parent or guardian in the following situations:<\/p>\n In addition, the University will inform the parent if the parent\u2019s loan or financial obligation has been cancelled for any reason.<\/p>\n Even without consent, the University will communicate with parents, guardians or other third parties in the event of an emergency that poses a threat to the health or safety of the student. The University will also communicate with parents if their son or daughter under the age of twenty-one is found to have violated laws or rules pertaining to alcohol or controlled substances.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n To inspect education records<\/a>, a student must submit an Access Form identifying the records to be inspected to the appropriate University official. The form is available in the Office of the Dean of all schools and colleges, and in the Office of the University Registrar. Please email registrar@bu.edu<\/a> to request a copy of the Access Form.<\/p>\n Requests to access records will receive a response within forty-five days of submission. A University official will arrange for access and will notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The University may charge a fee for copies of requested education records.<\/p>\n If the student does not know the specific location of the record, the Access Form may be submitted to:<\/p>\n Access Officer <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Students do not have a right under FERPA to inspect information that is not an education record, such as:<\/p>\n Note: Students may have rights to inspect such records under other laws.<\/p>\n In addition, students do not have the right to access certain education records, such as:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Current or former students who wish to permit another person to inspect or receive copies of their education records must provide signed and dated written consent which must:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n In general, the University may not disclose personal information from a student\u2019s education records without the student\u2019s prior consent. In compliance with the law, however, the University may disclose such information under the following conditions:<\/p>\n Someone has a legitimate educational interest if the information in an education record is necessary to fulfilling his or her professional responsibilities to the University. Such individuals may include University officers, faculty and administrative staff; law enforcement, medical and legal personnel; and contractors, consultants and other professionals engaged by the University. In addition, access to education records may be granted to Boston University students, persons from outside the University, and volunteers, who are requested to serve on an authorized committee or board of the University (such as a disciplinary committee or the Board of Trustees) or to otherwise perform authorized tasks for the University.<\/p>\n In an emergency, the University discloses information from education records to the appropriate parties, including parents, if the University deems the information necessary to protect the health, safety or well-being of the student or other individuals. Such disclosure may include any disciplinary action previously taken for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety and well-being of that student, other students or members of the University community.<\/p>\n The University will make a reasonable effort to notify the student of any subpoena before complying. However, in the case of a subpoena issued for law enforcement purposes or an ex parte order under the USA Patriot Act, the University is not required to notify the student of the existence or the contents of the subpoena, or of the information furnished in response to the subpoena, if the Court or other issuing agency has ordered that such information not be disclosed.<\/p>\n Federal law requires the University to disclose, to both the accuser and the accused student, the outcome of all student disciplinary proceedings that involve a charge of sexual assault. In addition, the University may disclose the final results of student disciplinary proceedings regarding a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense in which a student has been found to have committed a violation of the University\u2019s policies. Final results include the name of the offender, the violation, and any sanction imposed. The University can also inform parents about violations of the University\u2019s drug and alcohol policy by a student under the age of twenty-one.<\/p>\n In rare circumstances, the University may disclose information from education records to a student\u2019s parents without the student\u2019s prior consent, if the student meets the criteria of dependency as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In cases of divorce or separation, when relying on dependency as the basis for communication, the University reserves the right to communicate with both parents unless provided with evidence that one parent\u2019s rights have been legally revoked or otherwise limited.<\/p>\n The University will release information to authorized representatives of the US Comptroller General\u2019s Office, the US Attorney General, the US Department of Education, and state and local education authorities in connection with an audit or an evaluation of federal- or state-supported programs and to assure enforcement of or compliance with legal requirements related to these programs.<\/p>\n The University will release student information for the purposes of military recruitment to the Department of Defense. Released information is limited to student name, address, telephone listing, age or year of birth, place of birth, levels of education, academic major, degrees received, the most recent previous educational institution in which the student was enrolled, and institutional email address.<\/p>\n If a student or parent initiates legal action or brings a complaint against the University, the University may disclose education records relevant to its response to the complaint without a court order or subpoena. In addition, in the event that the University initiates legal action against a parent or student, the University may disclose education records relevant to the action without a court order or subpoena.<\/p>\n The University may disclose information to these authorized representatives if disclosure is allowed in accordance with a state statute concerning the juvenile justice system.<\/p>\n The University may release information to organizations that accredit colleges and universities for the purpose of assisting their accrediting functions.<\/p>\n The University may disclose information to organizations seeking to improve education for or on behalf of the University (e.g. developing predictive tests or administering student aid programs).<\/p>\n The University will disclose information in connection with notifications received under a state community notification program about a student who is required to register as a sex offender.<\/p>\n The University may send an education record (such as a transcript or letter) back to its creator or sender for confirmation of its authenticity.<\/p>\n The University may release information concerning a student if all personally identifiable information has been removed from the record and the University has made a reasonable determination that a student\u2019s identity is not discernible.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Under FERPA, information disclosed by the University may be subject to restrictions against redisclosure.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Students have the right to have their education records<\/a> maintained accurately and may request amendment of records that they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their rights under FERPA. If the normal channels for amending education records within the University do not result in the desired corrections, students should submit a Request to Amend Education Records form,\u00a0available from the Office of the University Registrar, to the designated records keeper. The University Access Officer will inform the student of the University\u2019s decision concerning the requested amendment within forty-five (45) days of the date of receipt of the amendment form.<\/p>\n If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, it will:<\/p>\n If, after the hearing, the University decides that the information contained in the record is not inaccurate or misleading, it will inform the student of the right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information or stating why the student disagrees with the University\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n Note: The process of amending records or requesting hearings regards only information that has been recorded inaccurately or incorrectly or that violates the student\u2019s rights under FERPA. It is not a process to appeal grades, disciplinary decisions or other University decisions with which the student disagrees but which have been recorded accurately. Students who wish to dispute the decision itself, rather than the accuracy with which it has been recorded, must use normal review and appeal channels.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n The University takes seriously the privacy of our student’s education records. Students are encouraged to initially report FERPA related concerns to the Office of the University Registrar (registrar@bu.edu<\/a>). We will reach out to you as soon as possible to discuss your concern.<\/p>\n FERPA Complaint Procedure:<\/strong><\/p>\n A student also has the right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO)<\/a> at the U.S. Department of Education regarding an alleged violation of his or her rights under FERPA. Complaints must be submitted within 180 days of the date of the alleged violation or of the date that the student knew or reasonably should have known of the alleged violation, and must contain specific factual allegations giving reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Act has occurred. Complaints to SPPO can be emailed to FERPA.Complaints@ed.gov<\/a> or mailed to the following address:<\/p>\n U.S. Department of Education <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nDelegated Access<\/h4>\n
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\nDesignated guest viewers can access student account invoices and make electronic payments. Viewers have access to the same student account detail and status information that the student sees in MyBU Student<\/a> (Student Account Details or Student Account Balance sections). Viewers will be sent e-bill notifications, and may also be sent email communication about student account status.<\/li>\n
\nDesignated viewers can access and print a Proof of Enrollment statement<\/a> for the student.<\/li>\n
\nDesignated viewers can access academic information (courses, grades, GPA, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nConsent to Disclosure<\/h4>\n
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Inspection of Educational Records<\/h4>
\nOffice of the University Registrar
\nBoston University
\n881 Commonwealth Avenue
\nBoston, Massachusetts, 02215<\/p>\nInformation Which Students Do Not Have the Right to Inspect<\/h4>
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Authorizing Another Person to Inspect or Receive Copies of Your Records<\/h4>
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When Disclosure is Permitted Without Prior Consent of the Student<\/h4>
A. To University officials, staff, and others engaged in activities on behalf of the University with a legitimate educational interest<\/h5>\n
B. If the information has been designated as directory information<\/a><\/h5>\n
C. In health or safety emergency situations<\/h5>\n
D. In compliance with a subpoena<\/h5>\n
E. If the information is a record of a campus disciplinary proceeding<\/h5>\n
F. To officials of other institutions or organizations:<\/h5>\n
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G. To the parents of dependent students<\/h5>\n
H. To authorized representatives of certain government offices<\/h5>\n
I. In compliance with the Solomon Amendment<\/h5>\n
J. In response to complaints and legal actions involving the student and the University<\/h5>\n
K. To authorized representatives of state and local government<\/h5>\n
L. To accrediting organizations<\/h5>\n
M. To organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the University<\/h5>\n
N. In connection with notifications received under a state community notification program<\/h5>\n
O. To parties who provided or created a record<\/h5>\n
P. After removal of all personally identifiable information<\/h5>\n
Limitations of Redisclosures<\/h4>
Amending Educational Records<\/h4>
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Make a FERPA Complaint<\/h4>
\nStudent Privacy Policy Office
\n400 Maryland Avenue, SW
\nWashington, DC 20202-8520<\/p>\nEU Data Privacy<\/h4>