FERPA | Students Right to Know
Annual Notice to Students
In compliance with Public Law 93-380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974, as amended, Peru State College has established a comprehensive written policy
regarding the maintenance and safeguarding of student educational records. A copy
of this policy is on file in each school and administrative unit of the college for
reference and review by students who have questions about the records policy.
All students enrolled in institutions of higher education, regardless of age, own
their FERPA rights.
At Peru State College, it is our practice NOT to release any information (whether
it be via phone, email or in-person) to someone other than the student, without a
signed FERPA release form from the student. Students who wish to grant FERPA release
to another person (parent, guardian, significant other, etc.) can do so by requesting
a Release of Information Form from the Student Records Office or by granting access
to parents and/or guests to see information displayed within their own myPSC account.
To setup Parent/Guest Access, follow this tutorial.
Educational records will not be released without permission of the student or parent
of the student who is a dependent as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954. The college will presume that permission must be granted by the student
unless proof has been provided to the college showing that the student is a dependent
in which case permission for the release of the educational records must be granted
by the parents.
Essentially, this policy protects the confidentiality of records, and describes rights
of access to those records. The following information summarizes the rights and protection
under this policy:
- A student has the right to inspect, review, and challenge information contained in his/her educational records. "Educational Records" include transcripts, credentials, files, documents and other information directly related to academic or professional performance that are maintained by various officials of Peru State. A student does NOT have access to records maintained by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or professional counselor in connection with treatment. These records may, however, be reviewed by a physician or other appropriate professional of the student’s choosing. A student may not have access to financial declarations or records that parents file in connection with financial aid applications, confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in the educational records before January 1, 1975, counseling or psychiatric referral information, or to any record which the student has waived the right to access (for example, a "closed" placement file). Staff within the Peru State College community, only those members acting in the student's educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These members include personnel in Student Services and faculty members within the limitations of their need to know.
- Release of Information. No one outside the institution shall have access to nor will the institution disclose
any information from a student’s educational records without consent of the student,
except to authorized personnel within the institution in which students seek to enroll,
to persons or organizations providing student financial aid, to accrediting agencies
carrying out their accreditation function, to law enforcement agencies of Nebraska
where such student is under investigation by such agencies and the agency shows that
such data is necessary for the investigation, to persons in compliance with a judicial
order, and to persons in an emergency order to protect the health or safety of students
or other persons.
Directory Information
Colleges may disclose directory information relating to a student without violating FERPA, unless a student has restricted the disclosure of his/her directory information in the Student Information System. At Peru State College, directory information consists of:
- Student’s legal name and chosen name
- Address (local, permanent, and electronic mail)
- Telephone numbers
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight, height and photographs of athletic team members
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance (only beginning and end dates of semesters)
- Year in school
- Enrollment status (full/part-time)
- Date of graduation
- The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
Any Peru State College student who wishes to have directory information protected
can do so through their myPSC student center or by submitting written notification
to the Records & Registration Office.
Filing Complaints
Persons wishing to file complaints regarding this policy or its implementation may
do so with the U.S. Department of Education. See the Vice President for Student Affairs
for further information regarding such matters.
Parent/Guest Access
A student can grant access to information within myPSC to parents/guests through the “Parent/Guest Access” link within their myPSC account.