FERPA - Student Education Records Privacy Statement
Southern Methodist University is committed to the privacy and
security of its students’ education records information. Our Records
Policy complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974 (FERPA) that governs the access and release of information
from a student’s education records. The intent of the FERPA
legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the
privacy and accuracy of education records. No student record
information is released to a third-party (including parents) without
the student’s prior consent; however, there are a few exceptions.
SMU stays informed of appropriate state and federal legal
requirements, professional and ethical standards and policies at
peer institutions as well as assists academic units in ensuring
compliance to policies and procedures. University policies regarding
FERPA are the responsibility of the University Registrar. Both the
SMU Records Policy and the University Registrar FERPA Website
contain information on guarding the privacy and confidentiality of
students’ education records.