The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
Marlboro College is required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to inform its students, at least annually, of their rights under this Act. They are:
-
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
-
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement and health staff); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility
Other exceptions include disclosures such as date of birth to authorized representatives of Federal-and State-supported programs, e.g., the Comptroller General of the United States; the Secretary of State educational authorities; the Veterans Administration; the Secretary of Defense.
-
The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the date the written request is received.
You should submit a written request identifying the record(s) you wish to inspect to the appropriate College official who will arrange for such access.
-
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. You may ask the College to amend a record that you believe is inaccurate or misleading by writing to the College official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record that you want changed, and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. The College will notify you of the decision to amend or not and advise you of your right to a hearing regarding your request.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged non- compliance by the institution to the requirements of FERPA.The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.
Directory Information
Although Marlboro College takes all precautions to protect students' privacy, certain information is considered "open to the public." Marlboro College designates the following categories of student information as public or "Directory Information," and may disclose such information upon request to members of the College community and outside agencies or individuals.
- Name
- Local and permanent address and telephone number
- Academic status: full-time, half-time, less than half-time
- E-mail address
- Dates of attendance
- Academic class standing (e.g., freshman, sophomore, etc.)
- Plan of Concentration (major area of study)
- Expected date of graduation
- Previous institution(s) attended
- Degree(s) conferred, including dates and any honors or awards
- ID Photo
Under the Act, currently enrolled students have the right to request that directory information not be disclosed. To withhold disclosure of Directory Information, written notification must be received in the Registrar's Office by no later than the final date for course registration each semester. Forms requesting the withholding of Directory Information are available outside the Registrar's Office.
Students should consider very carefully the consequences of any decision to withhold Directory Information. Should a student decide to inform the College not to release his or her Directory Information, any future requests for such information from non-institutional persons or organizations (including friends and relatives) will be refused. Also note that a request to withhold Directory Information during the Senior (or last) year that a student is in attendance at the College remains in effect thereafter unless rescinded by the (ex-)student in writing.
Marlboro College assumes approval for disclosure when students do not specifically request that directory information be withheld by the stated deadline. Questions and concerns about the Privacy Act, directory information or issues of confidentiality should be addressed to the Registrar or the Director of Advising.
Student Records
All records, including academic records from other institutions, test scores, etc., sent to Marlboro College become part of the official student file and can neither be returned nor duplicated for any purpose.
National Student Clearinghouse
Marlboro College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to act as our agent for all degree and enrollment verifications for the Marlboro campus. Please visit the Clearinghouse online at www.studentclearinghouse.org or contact them by phone at 703-742-4200.
Photography
Marlboro College and its representatives occasionally take photographs for the college’s use in print and electronic publications. This serves as public notice of the college’s intent to do so and as a release to the college of permission to use such images as it deems fit. If you object to the use of your photograph, you have the right to withhold its release by filling out a form at the Registrar’s Office.