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FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law requires Belmont to protect the privacy of students' education records. For more information about FERPA, please review the Bruin Guide or the Registrar’s website.

  • Rights Guaranteed to Students by FERPA:
    • The right of access to education records
    • The right to consent to the release of records to third parties
    • The right to challenge inaccurate or misleading information in an education record
    • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning non-compliance with FERPA
  • Do Parents or Legal Guardians Have Access to a Student’s Education Records?
    • A student, regardless of age, is the “legal entity” once he or she begins to attend Belmont. FERPA rights belong to the student, not the parent or guardian.
    • This means that students must consent before a record is disclosed to the parents or legal guardians.
    • A student can authorize Belmont to discuss his/her educational records with parents/guardians by filling out a FERPA release form.
  • Parental Notification
    • Parents or guardians of students under 21 years of age may be notified under any of the following circumstances:
      • The student has been found responsible for violation of a federal, state or local law related to alcohol or controlled substances.
      • The student has been found responsible for violation of a University policy related to alcohol or other drugs at least one time before the current violation.
      • The student is required to be transported to a medical facility and treated because of alcohol or other drug use.
      • The student has caused harm to him/herself or others while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
      • The student was responsible for vandalism or other destruction of property while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
      • The information regarding the student is needed in connection with an emergency to protect the health or safety of the student or other individual; and/or
      • Other appropriate circumstances as determined by the Dean of Students or designee.