Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Policy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. All College personnel deemed to have the “legal right to know” are required to comply with FERPA laws.
- To remain in compliance with FERPA laws, each Noorda-COM employee is expected to abide by the following regulations.
- Not to permit unauthorized use of any student information
- Not to exhibit or divulge the contents of any student record or report to any person except in the conduct of their work assignment
- Not to seek personal benefit or to permit others to benefit from confidential student information which has come to them by virtue of their work assignment
- Not to knowingly record or report inaccurate or misleading information
- Not to remove any official record, copy, or report from a student’s file outside the scope of their duties
- Not to aid, abet, or act to conspire to violate FERPA law
- Noorda-COM employees must immediately report any FERPA violation to their supervisor
The Office of the Registrar serves as the official custodian of student academic records
Disclosure
Currently enrolled and former students have the right to inspect and review their educational records upon request with proper identification. Requests for official records can be made by contacting the Office of the Registrar. Hard copy requests for official documents will be generally mailed within three to five business days within receipt of the request. Students who have waived their right to inspect and review their records may not have access.
Appeal
Denied access to educational records may appeal in writing to the Dean. If the decision to uphold the denial, the Dean will provide a written statement explaining the basis of the denial within ten days of receipt. Applicants must contact the Department of Admissions to review educational records submitted during the application process. Those denied admission must appeal within six months of the date of denial. Noorda-COM is in no way required to discuss admission or denial.
Amendment of Record
Currently enrolled or former students have the right to request an amendment of their educational record should they believe it to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of FERPA laws. A records request must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar clearly identifying the part of the record in question and the justification for the requested amendment. If the request is denied the Registrar will notify the decision and their right to appeal.
Requests to appeal a record amendment denial must be made in writing to the Dean. The Dean will respond within ten business days of their final decision. Dissatisfaction with the Dean’s decision, the individual has the right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance at the U.S. Department of Education.
Third Party Disclosure
Personally identifiable information will not be released to third parties without prior consent. Exceptions to the consent requirements as allowed by FERPA include:
Disclosure to School Officials
Educational records may be disclosed without written consent to College officials on a NEED TO KNOW BASIS with relevant, legitimate educational or administrative duties.
College officials are determined as “need to know” by the employee retaining the information, Dean, or President of the College. All information must be used for the purpose intended. Educational records may be disclosed without consent to contractors, consultants, and other outside parties to whom the College has outsourced institutional services or functions that it would otherwise use employees to perform. Outside parties are subject to the same governing conditions regarding the safekeeping of educational records. A statement of compliance must be signed indicating the non-redisclosure provisions of FERPA prior to receiving any student information.
This policy was reviewed and revised in March 2024. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (adlevine@noordacom.org).
