Privacy


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Access to and Privacy of Student Records

Guidelines for Faculty and Staff

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. The purpose of this act is to afford certain rights to students concerning their education records. The primary rights afforded are:

the right to inspect and review education records;
the right to seek to have the records amended;
the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records; and
the right to file a complaint with U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

As college employees, it is the responsibility of all faculty and staff to understand and abide by the rules governing access to and privacy of student records. Before accessing student records, carefully review the material presented on this site. Maintaining confidentiality of student records can be achieved by knowing a few basic requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The official Smith College policy concerning access to and privacy of student records is published annually online in the student handbook and at the registrar's office website. Related questions should be directed to the Registrar or Dean of the College.