The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) affords students certain privacy rights regarding their education records. Those rights are summarized below. For more detailed information about FERPA, consult SSM 107-01: Release of Student Information or contact University Registrar Services.
The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university 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 university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
Note: Students must provide photo identification in order to access their education records.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students who believe their record is inaccurate or misleading should write to the university official responsible for the record. Clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing about the request for amendment. Additional information about the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
Note: FERPA does not address grade disputes or grievances, which are pursued through other university and/or college procedures.
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. School officials are administrators, faculty, professional staff, academic advisors, clerical or support employees, including ASU law enforcement unit personnel and ASU health staff; volunteers; a person or company with whom the university has contracted as its agent, acting with a legitimate educational interest, to provide a service instead of using university employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, service provider); a person serving on the Board of Regents; staff in the Alumni Association and ASU Foundation offices; 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 interest in an education record is justified under one or more of the following conditions:
Note: A parent of a dependent student may challenge denial of access to the dependent student's record by producing the most current copy of Internal Revenue Form 1040. (Dependency is defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.) If that form lists the student in question as a dependent, the parent will be required to sign an Affidavit of Dependency which affirms that the student is his/her tax dependent. The affidavit will be retained by the University Registrar's Office and must be renewed each tax year. Upon receipt of these documents, the dependent student records may be made available to the parent as specified under FERPA.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Arizona State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Students are encouraged to first contact University Registrar Services at (480) 965-7302. A complaint may be filed in writing with the Department of Education at the following address: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC, 20202
Student —Any individual formally admitted who is or has been in attendance at ASU. The term does not apply to applicants for admission, nor does it apply to persons who have been admitted but who have not registered.
Education Record —Any record(s) directly related to a student and maintained by ASU or by a party acting for the university. Education records include any information or data recorded in any medium, including but not limited to handwriting, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, and microfiche.
Directory Information — Information that may be released to anyone without the consent of the student, unless the student indicates otherwise, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent:
Personally Identifiable Information —Includes not only the name of the student and other personal identifiers, but also a list or description of personal characteristics or any other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the student and/or relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty. Further, personally identifiable information includes all information about a student that is not defined as directory information, as well as any information that the student has indicated may not be released, including directory information.
My ASU Parent Guest Access is an online tool that allows students to share FERPA-protected information with parents and guests. Students have the choice to share some or all of their FERPA-protected information with parents and guests. For more information visit My ASU Parent Guest Access.
Students may control release of directory information by submitting a Withhold Directory Information Request form.
Unless otherwise requested, a student's name, college, major, enrollment status (undergraduate or graduate), and ASU e-mail address will appear in the directory of faculty, staff, and students in ASU's online directory. To avoid the release of directory information on the web or in general, the Withhold Directory Information Request form must be submitted.
ASU has a policy that regulates and permits the sale of enrolled student directory information only through University Registrar Services. If a FERPA directory hold is on the student's record, the directory information will not be included in these requests.
Students accessing education records or receiving university services must provide proof of identification.
For more detailed information on ASU's FERPA policy, please see SSM 107-01: Release of Student Information.
Questions or requests for additional information may be directed to University Registrar Services' Records & Enrollment Services at registrar@asu.edu
Students unable to process transactions in person or via My ASU may designate another person to process transactions on their behalf by proxy.
FERPA FAQs for Faculty & Staff
SSM 107-02: Lost, Stolen, or Inappropriately Disclosed Student Records Information
ACD 304-01: Examinations and Grade Posting
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