The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a Federal laws which protects the privacy of student education records.  The purpose of this act is to give students the right to inspect and review their education records, to seek to have the records amended, to have some control over the disclosure of the information from the record, and the right to file a complaint if they believe the college failed to comply with FERPA requirements.

As faculty members at Sacred Heart University you have access to some of the student's academic record.  It is your responsibility to adhere to the rules regarding the access and confidentiality of student records.  The following information pertains to current and former students. 

Certain information which is considered directory information can be disclosed to a third party without prior written authorization of the student (unless the student has filed a request to withhold directory information).

Sacred Heart University identifies the following as Directory Information:

• Name
• Date and Place of Birth
• Home Address
• Dates of Attendance
• Degree sought and expected date of graduation
• Major/Minor field of study
• Grade Level (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior)
• Enrollment status (e.g. undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time)
• Previous institutions attended
• Degree(s) conferred (including dates)
• Honors and Awards
• Participation in officially recognized activities/sports

Do not release the following information unless you have written and signed approval by the student to do so to a specific third party:

• Academic Standing
• Address and phone number
• Specific courses taken/taking
• Grades
• Financial data

It is better to be cautious since you may not be aware of students who have requested directory information to be withheld.  Please contact the Registrar's office with any questions or requests from a third party that was made without the student's written and signed request.

All faculty and staff have access to student records through Web Advisor and are required to sign a statement of compliance before they may access any screen that includes information about student records.  Click here to print compliance statement.  Complete this form and forward it to the Registrar's Office.