PUBLIC INFORMATION POLICIES: FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACTS (FERPA), TEXAS OPEN RECORDS. PUBLIC INFORMATION POLICIES: FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACTS (FERPA), TEXAS OPEN RECORDS
Access to records by persons or agencies other than the student is limited by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and the Texas Open Records Act. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
- The right to provide written consent before the college discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
In compliance with FERPA, the college may release to the general public the following types of directory information without the written consent of the student:
- Name, address, telephone number
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Previous educational institution attended
- Classification
- Degrees, certificates and awards received (President’s/Dean’s List)
- Date of graduation
- Panola College e-mail address, personal e-mail address
- Participation in official recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Enrollment status (full-time or part-time)
This directory information is disclosed unless a request to withhold the release of the information was made in writing and received in the Admissions/Records Office prior to or at the time of a student’s initial registration. Any change in the release information status must be made in writing. Requests for directory information must be made in writing and each request will be considered individually. Each student may request that information be withheld from the public by making a written request to the Admissions/Records Office. Forms are available. Release of information to a parent requires a student’s written consent.
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints should be addressed to:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520