320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone (603) 427-7600 Fax (603) 334-6308 www.greatbay.edu
Rev. 3/27/2020
Academic Privacy
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) In compliance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley
Amendment), it is the policy of the College to protect the educational/academic records of its learners, former learners, and
alumni. All personally identifiable information in a learner’s educational record is considered confidential. FERPA rights
apply at the point of matriculation or registration, regardless of minor status. The identifying status is the process which
makes the individual a student at this college.
The federal law includes provisions for disclosure of Directory Information by educational institutions. The College considers
the following to be Directory Information: Student’s name, telephone number, city/town, e-mail address, major field of
study, enrollment status (e.g. full-time or part-time), Degrees, awards, honors. IF YOU DO NOT WISH DISCLOSURE OF ANY OR
ALL OF THE CATEGORIES OF IDENTIFIABLE DIRECTORY INFORMATION, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE REGISTRAR IN WRITING PRIOR
TO THE CLOSE OF THE LAST DAY TO ADD.
Please consider very carefully the consequences of any decision by you to withhold any category of general Directory
Information. Should you decide not to release general Directory Information, any future requests for such information from
non-institutional persons or organizations will be refused, except as provided by law.
The College will honor your request to withhold general Directory Information but cannot assume responsibility to get in
touch with you for subsequent permission to release it. Regardless of the effect upon you, the College assumes no liability
for honoring your instructions that such information be withheld.
Copies of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Part 99 of Title 45, dealing with Privacy Rights of Parents and
Students, may be obtained from the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services or the Office of the Vice
President of Academic Affairs.
Student Records
A. Students have the right to review the contents of their records. Students will be given access to their own records
within a reasonable period of time, but in no case shall access be withheld for more than 45 days after the reques
t
h
as been made. The Registrar is authorized to release this information. Students wishing access to their records
must contact the Registrar personally. In cases involving the possibility of misinterpretation of data, the Vice
President of Academic Affairs or his/her qualified designee shall interpret the data to the student.
B. Students shall have the opportunity for a hearing to challenge the contents of their college records to ensure tha
t
t
hey are not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy or rights. This challenge must be made in writin
g
to
the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
C. Students may authorize the release of their records to intended persons or institution by completing the
Authorization to Release Records form. No access or release of any personally identifiable records or files on
students will be allowed to any individual, agency or organization without prior written consent of the student,
except as follows:
1. To internal and external officials directly involved with a legitimate educational interest.
2. To authorize Federal and State officers as identified in Section 438 (b) 3) of Public law 93-380.
