« Rights & Responsibilities

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal privacy law that grants students specific rights regarding their education records.

Definition of Education Records

"Education records" include any record maintained by the College that directly relates to a student. The following are NOT considered education records under FERPA:

Personal notes kept by faculty or staff, not shared with others
Law enforcement unit records
Employment records (unless tied to student status)
Medical treatment records
Post-attendance records not related to enrollment

Student Rights Under FERPA

Students at St. John's College have the following rights:

Right to Inspect and Review Records: Submit a written request to the Registrar.
Access will be provided within 45 days. A College official may be present during the review.
Right to Request Amendment: If you believe records are inaccurate or misleading, submit a written request to the appropriate official. If denied, you have the right to a hearing. Grade disputes must follow the Academic Appeals Policy.
Right to Provide Consent Before Disclosure: The College generally requires your written permission to release personally identifiable information, except in permitted cases:
School officials with legitimate educational interest
Institutions where the student intends to enroll
Financial aid providers
Accrediting agencies
Parents of dependent students (as defined by IRS)
Judicial subpoenas or legal orders
Health/safety emergencies
Directory information (see below)
Right to File a Complaint: With the U.S. Department of Education:
- Family Policy Compliance Office
  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue SW
  Washington, DC 20202-5901
  https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint

Directory Information

St. John's College may disclose the following directory information without your consent:

Name, address, telephone number
Dates of attendance and class standing
Degree, major, honors, and awards
Previous institutions attended

To opt out, submit a written request to the Registrar within two weeks of each semester's start. The College will honor all requests but is not responsible for disclosures made before the opt-out is processed. You may not opt out of having your name, identifier, or college email listed in class rosters.

Records Release

Students may authorize the release of protected education records to specific individuals (e.g., parents or employers) by completing a FERPA Release Form, available at the Registrar’s Office or upon request.