Student education records at BYU are generally accessible to eligible students according to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). BYU has adopted Access to Student Records Procedures that explain in detail student rights relating to their education records.
The following explains student rights to their education records, summarizes the procedures for exercising those rights, and describes student directory information that may be disclosed to the public without the student’s consent as required by law.
Eligible students, admitted and enrolled at BYU, generally have the right to:
- Inspect and review their education records within a reasonable period of time upon submitting to the appropriate department managing their education records a written request, with proof of identification, specifying the records to be inspected. The department will notify the student of the time and place the records may be inspected.
- Petition BYU to amend or correct any part of the education record believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Students may submit a written request to the department holding the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the department decides not to amend the record as requested, the department will notify the student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures as outlined in university procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- Control the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education record, except as otherwise authorized by law. Examples of exceptions to consent for disclosure include:
-Access of education records by BYU officials and agents having a legitimate educational interest in the records. This category generally includes any BYU official or agent who accesses student education records for the purpose of performing a task or responsibility relating to his or her employment or professional responsibility at the university. These individuals may include faculty, administration, staff and other university agents who manage student education record information including, but not limited to, student education, discipline, and financial aid.
-Parents who establish the student's dependency for federal income tax purposes.
-Upon request, BYU will disclose education records or information without consent to officials of another college or university to which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or to a school in which the student is currently enrolled.
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning failures by BYU to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Office of the Chief Privacy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202‐4605. www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
BYU has designated the following student information as directory information that it may disclose to the public without the consent of the student:
- Name
- Unique Person Identifiers (BYU ID, Net ID, Person ID, CMIS ID)
- Addresses and telephone numbers
- E‐mail address
- Month, day and place of birth
- Names of parents or spouse
- Major and minor fields of study
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Pictures
- Dates of attendance (current and past)
- Number of months/semesters enrolled
- Class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
- Enrollment status (full‐time, part‐time, less than half‐time)
- Degrees and awards received
- Previous educational institutions attended
- Dates of employment and job title for student employment positions
- Anticipated future enrollments
- Course registrations prior to the beginning of a semester/term
- Expected date of graduation
- Deferred registration eligibility
Students have the right to restrict disclosure of the above directory information. To request restriction of disclosure, students must file a written request in the Registrar’s Office. This restriction will remain until the student specifically rescinds it in writing.
Students may un-list individual addresses or phone numbers online through MyBYU.
