Parent Handbook
What Parents and Guardians Should Know About the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through information and formal hearings. The Office of the Registrar makes available copies of the federal regulations.
In accordance with FERPA, disclosure of student information, including financial and academic, is restricted. Release of information other than “directory information” to anyone other than the student requires a written consent from the student.
The University may release “directory information” without prior consent from the student. Southwestern University considers the following information to be “directory information:”
* Name, phone number and e-mail address.
* Date and place of birth.
* Year in college.
* Prior educational institution attended.
* Dates of college attendance and full-time status.
* Degrees.
* Scholarships and awards received.
* Weight and height of members of athletic teams.
* Participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
We understand that you are concerned with your student’s academic progress. Due to FERPA regulations, however, it is not the University’s policy to send grade reports to parents. If your student is willing, he or she may sign a waiver giving specific permission for you to: (1) request that grade reports be mailed to you and (2) discuss financial information, merit scholarships and financial aid. The best way to find out about your student’s grades is to ask him or her.
If you have academic concerns for your student, please do not hesitate to contact the Center for Academic Success (CAS) at 512-863-1286. However, please understand that the amount of information we are able to discuss without written student consent is limited.
