Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
As a recipient of funding from the US Department of Education, Emory University and its constituents are required to comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA governs the privacy of what are called “education records,” which are, with limited exceptions, any record maintained by Emory University directly related to a student.
FERPA also governs the privacy of student health records maintained by Emory University, which may be classified as either education records or what are known as “treatment records,” depending on their use.
Written permission from a student is required to release any information from their education record. Under FERPA, eligible students have the following rights:
- Inspect and review their education records maintained by Emory. Emory is not obligated provide copies unless the student is unable to review the original records in person.
- Request corrections to records they believe are inaccurate or misleading. If Emory decides not to amend the record, the student or their parents have the right to a formal hearing. Should Emory still decide not to amend the record after the hearing, the student or their parents can place a statement with the record explaining their perspective on the contested information.
- Restrict the release of personally identifiable information.
- Receive a copy of the institution's policy regarding access to educational records.
Any use or disclosure by Emory or persons acting on behalf of Emory of FERPA–governed records must be permitted under FERPA. Emory’s FERPA policy can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.