The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the
U.S. Department of Education.
Education record- records, files, documents, and other materials which contain information directly
related to a student, maintained by an education institution.
FERPA allows the University to disclose education records or personally identifiable
information from education records in the following circumstances:
Inspect and Review: students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45
days of the date the University receives an access request. Students should submit
a written request to the University official that maintains the record that identifies
the record they wish to inspect.
Request an Amendment: students have the right to request the amendment of student education records that
the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the
student’s privacy rights under FERPA . This process cannot be used to challenge grades.
Provide Written Consent: students have the right to provide written consent before the University discloses
personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to
the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
File a Complaint: students have 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.
Directory information at the University of the Virgin Islands is defined as:
student’s name
street address
email address
telephone number
date of birth
dates of attendance
degrees and awards received
major and minor field(s) of studies
class
participation in officially recognized activities and sports
most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student
weight and height, if student is a member of an intercollegiate athletic team
FERPA allows the University to release a student’s directory information to anyone
unless the student informs the Office of the University Registrar that they do not
want directory information released.
For more information on FERPA, please review the following resources:
The right to inspect and review your education records within 45 days after the day
the University of Washington receives a request for access. You should submit to the
registrar, dean, head of the academic department a written request that identifies
the record(s) you wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for
access and notify you 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 should advise you of the correct official to whom the request should
be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of your education records that you believe are
inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of your privacy rights under FERPA.
This process cannot be used to challenge grades. 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, you will
be notified in writing of the decision and your right to request a hearing regarding
the request for amendment.
The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable
information (PII) from your education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes
disclosure without consent. The University discloses education records without a student’s
prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials
with legitimate educational interests. School officials include faculty, instructors,
staff, student employees, volunteers, third party contractors, and any individual
UVI has determined to have legitimate educational interests in accessing education
records. An individual has a legitimate educational interest when they need access
to the education record to perform their official duties; not to satisfy curiosity
or other non-job-related interests. Upon request, the school also discloses education
records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or
intends to enroll.
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:
UVI Annual FERPA Notice
Pre-Registration Required Review and Submission
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, which is administered
by the United States Department of Education, is a federal privacy law. In addition
to identifying a significant set of guidelines for the custodianship of education
records, the law requires institutions to provide students with an annual explanation
of the law and their rights under FERPA.
At the University of the Virgin Islands, we require students to read and confirm that
they have read the UVI FERPA Release Notice each semester when they initially register
as part of pre-registration. A copy of that notice is below.
UVI Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records.
(An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or
who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.)