Overview
This page is intended to collect information about FERPA for UWF constituents for their reference and convenience.
FERPA is The 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law (20 U.S.C. 1232g) that protects the privacy of a student’s educational record. FERPA applies to all educational institutions receiving funds from the United States Department of Education, from kindergarten through university level.
UWF Student Educational Records Regulation
http://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/offices/trustees/regulations/UWF-REG-3.017.pdf
Official UWF FERPA information
FERPA Information from the Dean of Students
FERPA and Student Records from the Office of the Registrar
FERPA U.S. Department of Education
FERPA Notes from NACUA - National Association of College and University Attorneys
FAQs
http://uwf.edu/offices/registrar/resources/ferpa-student-records--privacy/#d.en.86365
Student/Parent Resources
Do's and Don'ts
- DO educate yourself regarding FERPA, your rights and UWFs responsibilities.
- DO check your Contact and Privacy Information app each semester to be sure your information is correct and your privacy settings are set.
- DO be sure to add your parent or any other individual you deem appropriate to the Release of Information block in the Contact and Privacy Information app. You decide who (if anyone) has access to your student educational record and how much access they have.
- DO always communicate with your professors and other UWF personnel using your student email account. Using that account tells the person with whom you're communicating that you are indeed the student associated with that email address.
- :juststop: DON'T leave your computer open where anyone can find your MyUWF log-in information.
- :juststop: DON'T violate FERPA if you are a student who is also an employee at UWF - see Faculty/Staff Resources to the right.
- DO contact the Office of the Registrar or the Office of the General Counsel with any FERPA related questions.
FAQs
Additional Helpful Links
FERPA Frequently Asked Questions - FERPA for Parents and Eligible Students - Family Policy Compliance Office - US Department of Education
Student Employee FERPA Training Information
Faculty/Staff Resources
Do's and Don'ts
- DO educate yourself regarding FERPA and your responsibilities.
- DO read and understand the information in the FERPA Reference Sheet for Faculty/Staff
- DO authenticate your student's identity before discussing their educational record.
- If communicating with the student via email, make sure they and you are using their UWF student email address.
- If communicating via telephone, make sure to ask multiple identifying questions to be certain you're speaking with the correct person.
- If communicating in person, use your roster to authenticate and/or ask for their nautilus card.
- :juststop: DON'T leave your computer open where anyone can view a student's information.
- DON'T speak with any person other than the student if you have any question regarding their access to the student's record. Check the Release of Information block in the Contact and Privacy Information app or Contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance.
- :juststop: DON'T email a group of your students where their email addresses are visible to other students. If emailing in this fashion, be sure to use the BCC (blind carbon copy) feature.
- :juststop: DON'T leave graded assignments outside your office door for students to pick up.
- :juststop: DON'T at any time use the UWF ID of a student in a public posting of grades.
- DO contact the Office of the Registrar or the Office of the General Counsel with any FERPA related questions.
FAQs
Additional Helpful Links
FERPA Frequently Asked Questions - FERPA for School Officials - Family Policy Compliance Office - US Department of Education