FERPA: WHAT FACULTY AND
STAFF NEED TO KNOW
FERPA (Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act), also known as the
Buckley Amendment, was passed
by Congress in 1974. It grants four
specific rights to post-secondary
students:
• To see the information that the
institution is keeping on the
student
• To seek amendment to those
records and in certain cases
append a statement to the
records
• To consent to disclosure of
his/her records
• To file a complaint with the
FERPA Office in Washington
FERPA applies to all educational
agencies or institutions, including
Klamath Community College that
receive funds under any program
administered by the Secretary of
Education.
FERPA governs what may be
released, but does not require that
any information be released.
Student Educational Records include
information provided by a student for
use in the educational process such as
the following:
• Personal information (name, etc.)
• Enrollment records
• Student’s exams or papers
• Grades
• Schedules
Storage Media for educational record
may vary and can include one or more
of the following:
• Document in the Student Services
office
• Electronic document or e-mail
• Computer printout in your office
• Class list on your desktop
• Computer display screen
• Notes taken during an advising
session
Klamath Community College
Directory/Public Information and KCC
Directory Information
“directory information is …information
contained in an education record of a
student which would not generally be
considered harmful or an invasion of
privacy if disclosed.” (FERPA
Regulations, Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 34, Part 99.3)
Directory Information is considered
public and may be released upon
request. However, the student may opt
to keep this information confidential.
Director Information at KCC
• Student’s first and last name
• Current mailing address
• Email address
• Date and place of birth
• Major field of study
• Current grade level
• Date of attendance at KCC
• KCC degree(s) and Award(s) received
• Participation in officially recognized
activities
• Most recent previous educational
institutions attended
Information not included in the list
above is defined as confidential student
information and may not be released.
Please note that student ID pictures are
confidential information and therefore
may not be released.
Directory Information can never
include:
• Social security number
• Student identification number
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Gender
As a faculty or staff member, you have a legal responsibility under FERPA to protect
the confidentially of student educational records in your possessions.
You have access to student information only for legitimate use in the completion of
your responsibilities as a college employee. Need to know is the basic principle.
Student educational records (other than directory information) are considered
confidential and may not be released without written consent of the student.
Student information stored in electronic format must be secure and available only to
those entitled to access that information.
Your access to student information, including directory information, is based on your
faculty or staff role within the college. You may not release lists or files with student
information to any third party outside your college or departmental unit.
If you’re in doubt about a request for student information, contact the Registrar at
Student Information Types
