User Groups:
Main Content:
You Can't Always Get The Information
You Want
(Unless You Know These Rules)
Would you like Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) to be able to provide you with information such as your student's academic progress or even tuition balance? If so, read on. You may be surprised to learn that in most cases, RCTC will need your student's written consent. We hope that this information will help you understand RCTC's duty to protect student privacy and encourage you to act now to ensure access to student information when you need it - or at least avoid the frustration of being caught unaware of the rules.
Why do colleges and universities say they need to protect the privacy
of student records?
It's not just a school policy, but it's the law. Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities are subject to federal law, the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and state law, the Minnesota Government
Data Practices Act (MGDPA), which contain detailed rules about student
record privacy. One key provision of those laws is that college and
university students have the right to control disclosure of private
education records about themselves to third parties - including parents,
spouses or other family members. These rights apply to all college or
university students - even if they are minors.*
What is an "education record"?
"Education records" that are subject to these privacy laws
encompass a wide scope of information. Examples of education records
include: grades, housing information, class enrollment, attendance information,
counseling or medical records from campus health centers, disciplinary
records, tuition balance information - and much more. Most education
records are classified as "private."
Schools may release private education records to third parties - including
family members - only if the law permits or if the student has a signed
a valid authorization.
Of course, students themselves may release their own information as they wish.
When may school officials release private education records to family
members?
In most circumstances, family members will need to show a signed, dated
authorization for release of information. A form that has been developed
for this use is located in the Admissions and Records Office or on-line.
However, any document that includes the following would be valid: who
is authorized to release the information; to whom the information may
be released; what information may be released; the purpose for which
the information may be used; the student's signature; and a date. A
simple e-mail or phone call from the student is not a sufficient authorization.
Send the completed form to: RCTC Admissions and Records Office.
An original release form is not required. School officials may honor a copy of a valid release, including a fax. An authorization could permit disclosure of information by phone or e-mail so long
as an otherwise valid release is on file. A form could also authorize on-going disclosures, such as grades each semester.
We encourage you to discuss with your student signing a release before issues of access arise. Releases may be as broad or a limited as desired. You may want to remind your student of the potential negative consequences of not permitting you to have access to information like tuition balance!
Doesn't the fact that I pay my child's tuition give me automatic
access to information?
No. You will generally need the student's written consent for private
information, even if you financially support the student in whole or
in part.
Can't a college or university require students to sign a release
to parents?
No. Any release of privacy rights requested by the school must be voluntary.
Is there any information that is public about students at a college
or university?
Each college or university defines certain information about its students
as "directory." Directory information is available to anyone
and no student consent is required to release it. However, students
have the right to suppress their directory data so that it is treated
as "private." For those students, school officials may not
release their directory information without written consent or other
legal authority. RCTC's definition of "directory" information
can be found at the end of this document.** Note that it is subject
to change.
Where can I go for further information on the privacy of student
records?
Contact the RCTC Data Practices Compliance Official: Nancy Shumaker
for information about records policies.
*Records of a PSEO student are routinely shared with the high school where the student is also in attendance. Parents are presumed to have access to a student's records at the high school unless the student is age 18 or older.
**The following items are considered "directory information"
at Rochester Community and Technical College and will be made available
to the public unless the student submits a completed Request for NonDisclosure
form to the Admissions and Records Office:
+ student name
+ program of study
+ enrollment status (enrolled-full time or part time, graduated, withdrawn)
+ dates of enrollment
+ degrees, honors, and awards received
+ student activities participation
+ height, weight, and high school of athletic team members
+ email address
+ photographs
+ hometown
Contact Information:
Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904-4999
Contact Info: (507) 285-7210 or 1-800-247-1296 / TTY Relay 1-800-627-3529
RCTC is a University Center Rochester partner and a member of the MnSCU system.
© 2007 Rochester Community and Technical College, All rights reserved.
RCTC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.
^ Back to top