Policy 4.11

Part 1. Confidentiality of Student Records

The Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, and the Minnesota State Legislative Chapter 479 and 401 provide for specific regulations regarding the collection, security, dissemination and confidential status of data in student records. Besides classroom academic papers, students enrolled in the College are required by various departments to supply information necessary for services to be rendered to the student. The College gives assurance that student information will be safeguarded against improper disclosure as indicated in this policy. Students who refuse to supply official college-requested information will not receive the services rendered by that department.

Part 2. Public vs. Private Student Information

Subpart A. Public Information

At Minneapolis College the following information is Public Information (directory information). This data is accessible to any member of the public for any review:

• Name of Student
• Date of Attendance
• Graduation, Certification
• Field of Study

Minneapolis College does not publish a student directory. No directory or other list of students will be released to individuals or commercial agencies. (Please note exception: Students attending graduation ceremonies may have their addresses released to the graduation photographer so that pictures may be mailed to participants).

Student email addresses and Star ID numbers are defined as Limited Directory Data for enterprise technology related purposes internal to the Minnesota State that are approved by System Office IT, including, but not limited to, inclusion of email addresses and Star ID numbers in a directory accessible to Minnesota State students and employees.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, the following information is defined as Limited Directory Data for purposes of sharing with LeadMN so the association can communicate with their members:  Student name, e-mail address, and Student Change Code (NEW/RTN/DROP).

A student may make a written request not to release public information without his/her written permission (i.e., request confidentiality); this request should be submitted to the Records Office in T.2100. Currently enrolled students should notify the Records Office by the fifth day of the term.

Subpart B. Private Information

Private information may be released by the College to students requesting information about themselves, to appropriate College personnel or to Minnesota State personnel who have a legitimate educational interest, to the Higher Education Services Office, to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse for enrollment verification, for financial disbursement, or if necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other persons.

Other exceptions authorized by law which permit the release of private information without consent include: to other schools in which you seek or intend to enroll; to the federal Comptroller General or other federal, state or local educational officials for purposes of program compliance, audit, or evaluation; as appropriate, in connection with your application for, or receipt of, financial aid; to a court, grand jury or state or federal agency, if the information is sought with an appropriate subpoena or court order; to an institution engaged in research for an educational institution or agency related to testing, student aid, or improved instruction; an accrediting organization in connection with its accrediting functions; if required by a subpoena or a court order, or when permitted by other state or federal laws.

Private information includes:

• Address and phone number of the student
• Academic information including transcripts, grades, assessment and test results
• Recommendation information
• Evaluations
• Profile information which identifies individuals
• Student financial records and other financial information
• Background information including behavior, performance, traits, etc.
• Counselor records (except as they contain information stated as confidential or as public)
• Suspension or probation status
• Conduct reports

Subpart C. Exception to Private Information Listed Above

There is a federally mandated exception that authorizes the release of some otherwise private information to the United States military.

Under the Solomon Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (1996), Minneapolis College must provide access to the following information on students to the United States military:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone listing
• Date and place of birth
• Level of education
• Academic major
• The educational institution in which the student was most recently enrolled

Part 3. Confidential Information

Confidential information is information available only to individuals or agencies authorized by law to gain access, such as investigation information, legal counsel data and some financial records and statements. This information may not be available to the subject of the data.

Part 4.Student Records

Student records contain information that is directly related to a student and are only those records maintained by an educational agency or institution. These records are most often needed to fulfill requests by students for various needs.

Examples of student records include:

• Admission and application records
• Advising
• Assessment testing
• Financial aid
• Registrations and grades
• Student accounts

Part 5. Notification of rights under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will arrange for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want corrected, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the Registrar decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the Registrar will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. This procedure can be found in College Procedure 4.11.1, as well as a reiteration of student and educational records examples.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with which the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or 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. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the College discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. (NOTE: FERPA requires an institution to make a reasonable attempt to notify the student of the records request unless the institution states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.) Minneapolis College discloses educational records to National Student Loan Clearing House, a national educational agency that serves as an agency of the College by providing verification of attendance for financial aid recipients and for other purposes.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Minneapolis Community and Technical College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. 
   
   The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
   
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   600 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4605​

---

Date of Adoption: 8/17/2017

Date of Implementation (if different from from adoption date):

Date of Last Review: 8/17/2017

Date and Subject of Revisions: