The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords all students who attend a postsecondary education institution certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.
- student should submit a written request identifying the record(s) to be inspected to the registrar. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student 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 shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- 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 student should write to the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If Lawrence University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the student will be notified of the decision and advised of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- Students must give consent in writing before Lawrence University can release any personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA allows disclosure without consent.
Lawrence University does not automatically send information about academic progress or disciplinary actions to parents or guardians. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate such matters to family members, and others, as needed. Students who want their parents to have access to their education records must present a signed Education Record Information Release to the registrar’s office. This form will remain in effect until the student revokes it in writing, graduates, or withdraws from the University. Students who need to report their academic progress or enrollment status to other parties, such as scholarship foundations, graduate schools, or prospective employers, must submit a signed request to the Registrar’s Office before such information will be released. Transcripts will only be released by request of the student through the Parchment transcript ordering system.
The Dean of Students or designee reserves the right to contact a parent or legal guardian to disclose information about any violation of federal, state, or local law or any university policy governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. The decision to contact a parent or legal guardian will be based on the professional staff’s review of an incident(s) for pattern and severity in a student’s behavior.
External Disclosure to Other School Officials: Upon written request, Lawrence University may also disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
Other External Disclosure:Information designated by Lawrence University as FERPA Directory Information may be released without written consent, unless the student requests non-disclosure. Directory information may be released by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion. Lawrence University has declared the following items to be Directory Information: name, email address, enrollment status, dates of attendance, attendance, academic program and field(s) of study, and degrees conferred, including dates, honors, and awards.
Other Information Disclosure, but is not limited to, the following:
- Public Directory: The university maintains an electronic directory of students, faculty and staff on the Lawrence website. The public directory lists student names, e-mail addresses, and SPC (mailbox) numbers and is accessible on the web.
- Visual Disclosures: Lawrence University visually records many campus events and daily activities, such as convocations, concerts, classes, athletic events, and other public occasions. These images, as well as other information about students, faculty, and staff are published regularly as part of the university’s coverage of campus life and portrayal of the university to various audiences. Publications include print media, such as Lawrence Magazine, Lawrence social media, University athletics, and the university’s website.
- Solomon Amendment Disclosures: The federal Solomon Amendment requires Lawrence to provide lists of currently enrolled students to military recruiters upon request.
- Students must give consent in writing before Lawrence University can release any personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA allows disclosure without consent.
- Enrolled students may ask Lawrence to withhold disclosure of any of the above categories of information by completing a non-disclosure form. Continuing students must complete a new form each year. Non-disclosure instructions in effect at the time a student takes a leave of absence, withdraws, or graduates from the university will remain in effect until the student rescinds those instructions in writing. Students considering withholding disclosure of directory information should consult with the registrar and evaluate the possible repercussions. Lawrence assumes no responsibility to contact a student for subsequent permission to release directory information, and assumes no liability for honoring instructions that such information be withheld.
The information presented above is not an exhaustive list of the types of releases without consent allowed. Additional information can be found by referring to the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Title 34, Part 99-Family Educational Rights and Privacy) at www.ecfr.gov.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Lawrence University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
Questions about FERPA or the information provided in this notification should be directed to the Registrar. Additional information regarding FERPA for Lawrence students, faculty, and staff can be found here.
Last updated: March 10, 2025