Student Privacy
GENERAL FERPA INFORMATION
 The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), also known as the “Buckley Amendment,” is a federal law that gives protection to student educational records and provides students with certain rights. These rights include the ability to:
1. inspect and review their education records; 2. request the amendment of inaccurate or misleading records; 3. consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education record; and 4. file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by an educational institution to comply with this law.
FERPA also authorizes the release of “Directory Information” without a student’s prior consent, under certain conditions which are set forth in the Act.
George Mason University strives to fully comply with FERPA by protecting the privacy of student records and judiciously evaluating requests for release of information from those records. Furthermore, in accordance with the Act, George Mason University has specifically defined “Directory Information” and provides annual notification to students of their rights in the Schedule of Classes and the University Catalog.
What are education records?
Education records are records that are: 1. directly related to a student; and 2. maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.
What is personally identifiable information?
Personally identifiable information includes but is not limited to: the student's name; the name of the student's parent or other family member; the address of the student or student's family; a personal identifier, such as the student's social security number or G-number; a list of personal characteristics that would make the student's identity easily traceable; or other information that would make the student's identity easily traceable.
How is compliance monitored?
The Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO) of the U.S. Department of Education monitors schools for compliance. Students have the right to file complaints with the FPCO alleging failure by Mason to comply with the requirements of the Act. Failure to comply may result in a loss of federal funding for financial aid and educational grants and/or civil litigation.
To whose records does FERPA apply?
FERPA applies to the education records of persons who are or have been in attendance, including students in cooperative programs, study abroad, or study elsewhere.
To what records does FERPA apply?
FERPA applies to all educational records in whatever medium which are: 1. maintained by George Mason University or by a party acting for the University, and 2. directly related to a student.
Is prior consent always necessary before releasing information from a student's education record?
Prior consent is not necessary to release or confirm "Directory Information" from a student's education record unless the student has placed a “non disclosure” or “confidential hold” request on his/her records. In addition, prior consent is not necessary under certain other conditions stated in FERPA, such as by court order or subpoena. However, it is Mason’s policy that information from a student’s education record be released only by the Registrar’s Office and within constraints.
Where can I get a copy of the law?
A full text of the law is available at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OM/append.html.
Public Notice Designating Directory Information
George Mason University designates the following as public or “Directory Information.” Such information may be disclosed by the University without the student's prior consent under the conditions set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Directory Information: student name, address, telephone numbers(s), e-mail address, date and place of birth, major, dates of attendance, enrollment status (full-time, part-time), class, previous institutions, major field of study, awards, honors (including Dean’s List), degrees conferred including dates, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, and physical factors (height and weight of athletes).
Note: Directory information is information that Mason may disclose, but it is not required to do so. It is Mason’s policy to refrain from actively disclosing addresses, telephone numbers and dates of birth, however, we routinely verify this information. Mason does not disclose social security numbers, personal identification numbers, grades, grade point averages, class schedules, academic actions nor the number of credits enrolled in or earned unless the student has signed a consent form.
Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of directory information under FERPA. To withhold disclosure, students must present a photo ID in person at the Registrar's Office, Room 1 N. Chesapeake and complete the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information Form. The form may be submitted at any time throughout the year and will immediately affect prospective disclosures. George Mason University assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of a category of directory information indicates individual approval for disclosure. Former students may not place a new request for nondisclosure of directory information on their education records; however, they may request its removal.
The following two categories of directory information may be withheld for current students, upon receipt of the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information Form.
- Telephone Directory* – prevents the listing of student name, address, telephone number, major, and e-mail address in the George Mason University Telephone Directory.
- Confidential hold** – prevents the disclosure of all Directory Information including name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address, date and place of birth, major, dates of attendance, enrollment status (full-time, part-time), class, previous institutions, major field of study, awards, honors (including Dean’s List), degrees conferred including dates, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, and physical factors (height and weight of athletes).
*Requests to withhold your information from the campus directory must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by 5:00 pm on Friday of the first week of classes of the fall semester to have information withheld in time for the publication of that academic year's George Mason University Telephone Directory.
**Students who elect this category must conduct all university business either in person with a photo ID card or from a remote location with an original notarized request. Such students’ names will be published in the commencement program unless the students request exclusion in writing. Students in this category are eligible to use interactive web and other electronic systems, such as Patriot Web, for transactions including registration which are protected by a personal identification number (PIN).
Important note: The above information has been developed by the Office of the Registrar to give general information about FERPA and to acquaint students, parents, faculty and staff with some of the privacy issues surrounding students' educational records. It is not intended as nor is it a substitute for legal advice on any particular issue. Please contact the Office of University Counsel with any questions regarding FERPA at 703-993-2619 or http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/legal-affairs/contacts.php
Last updated March 7, 2008.
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