Student Rights Under
FERPA
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The right to inspect and review education records within 45 days
from the day the
university receives a request for access. The student should submit
a written request to the Office of Student
Records and identify the record(s) he/she wishes to inspect. The staff
of the office will make arrangements for access and notify the
student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If
the requested records are not maintained in the Office of Student
Records, the student will be notified of the correct official to
whom the request should be addressed.
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The right to request an amendment to the student’s
education records that the student believes are inaccurate or
misleading. The student should write the Office of Student Records, clearly identify
the part of the record he/she wants 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 regarding the request for amendment. Additional
information regarding the hearing will be provided to the student
when notified of the hearing.
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The right to consent to disclosures
of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records
with certain restrictions. In general, no personally
identifiable information from a student’s education record will
be disclosed to any third party without written consent from the
student. Several exceptions exist, including these selected
examples: (1) Information defined by SMU as
directory information may be released
unless the student sends a written request to the registrar that
it be withheld; (2) Information authorized by student through
Access.SMU Self-Service; and (3) Information may be released to
a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially
dependent upon the parent or guardian as set forth in the
Internal Revenue Code .
Complaints
Students
have the right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of
Education concerning alleged failures by the college 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 Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
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