I. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

II. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

III. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Specific exceptions include:

IV. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Syracuse University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

V. The right to prevent disclosure of any and all types of personally identifiable information that Syracuse University has designated as "Directory Information."

I. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the University Registrar (106 Steele Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1120) written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University Registrar will make arrangements for access and will notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(return to top)

II. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading, although this does not include challenges to the accuracy/fairness of grades in courses or any other assessment of academic performance. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision, of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment, and of the hearing procedures. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

(return to top)

III. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Specific exceptions include:

A. School officials with legitimate educational interest. "School official" means:

1. a person employed by the University;
2. a person, company, or agency with whom the University has contracted for a service; or
3. a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

"Legitimate educational interest" means an educationally related purpose which has a directly identifiable relationship to the student involved and is consistent with the purposes for which the information is maintained. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if, in the judgment of the data custodian responsible for requested information, the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. The information sought and provided must be pertinent to and used within the context of official University business and not for a purpose extraneous to the official’s area of responsibility. Release of a student’s education record to a school official having legitimate education interest does not constitute institutional authorization to transmit, share, or disclose any or all of the information to a third party, within or outside the University.

B. Officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, upon the request of such officials.

C. Parents of a dependent student as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. A "parent" is a parent, guardian, or someone acting as a parent who meets the IRS standard. Undergraduates at Syracuse University are assumed to be dependents of the parent(s) they list on application materials unless they prove otherwise. Divorced or separated parents will be provided equal access unless the University is provided with evidence of a court order, state law, or legally binding document that specifically revokes those rights. Graduate students will be presumed to be independent of their parent(s) unless the parent(s) provide their most recent IRS tax return with evidence to the contrary.

D. Appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

[Note: Students should refer to their individual school/college(s)’ policies concerning parental notification in cases of academic misconduct and academic performance issues.]

(return to top)

IV. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Syracuse University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

The Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

(return to top)

V. The right to prevent disclosure of personally identifiable information that Syracuse University has designated as “Directory Information.”

At its discretion, Syracuse University may provide “directory information” in accordance with the provisions of FERPA. Directory information is defined as that information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Designated directory information at Syracuse University includes the following:

• Name*
• Current address and phone number*
• Permanent address* and phone number
• SU e-mail address*
• Dates of attendance
• Full/part-time status
• Class/level*
• SU school/college(s)*
• Major(s)/degree program(s)
• Degree(s) earned and date(s)
• Academic awards and honors
• Prior postsecondary institutions attended
• Athletic participation

* Asterisked items are printed in the University’s telephone directory

Students may block the public disclosure of directory information (all or in part) by filing a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form with the Office of the Registrar, 106 Steele Hall. Although the initial request may be filed at any time, requests to prevent disclosure will be honored by the University until removed, in writing, by the student. To prevent asterisked items from appearing in the University’s annual printed telephone directory, students must file the request form within the first two weeks of classes in the fall semester. Requests filed after this deadline in the fall semester will remove designated directory information from the online directory and in subsequent years’ printed directories.

If you select an option to prevent disclosure of some, but not all, directory information, additional action must be taken to prevent release of information regarding athletic participation and for announcements of academic achievements to your hometown newspaper(s) and/or printing in the annual Register of Graduates. Filing of a Request to Prevent Disclosure will also prevent information from loading to Blackboard, an online course management system used in many SU classes. If you are required to use Blackboard for a class or multiple classes, additional action must be taken. The Registrar’s Office will provide information about these additional steps.

Students should very carefully consider the consequences of a decision to prevent disclosure of Directory Information. Regardless of the effect upon students, the University assumes no liability as a result of honoring instructions that such information be withheld. Syracuse University assumes that a student’s failure to specifically request blocking access to any element of directory information constitutes approval for disclosure. Questions about FERPA, students’ privacy rights, and Syracuse University’s compliance procedures may be directed to the Office of the Registrar, 106 Steele Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1120, 315 443-2422.

(return to top)

Individual Responsibility

Under Article 156 of the New York State Penal Code, criminal sanctions are imposed for offenses involving computers, software, and computer data. The offenses include unauthorized use of a computer, computer trespass, computer tampering, unlawful duplication, and unlawful possession of computer-related material. Improper or unauthorized access to, or release or manipulation of, any student record in such form is included within those offenses.

All computers, software, data, business records, and student records of the University in any form, electronic or paper, belong to the institution. Any person committing an offense with respect to them may be subject personally to criminal sanctions and other liability. The University will cooperate with law enforcement authorities in prosecuting all persons who commit any such offense.

(return to top)