As a general rule, under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), personally identifiable information may not be released from a student's education records without his or her prior written consent. Exceptions to this rule are set out in the FERPA regulations and the FERPA policy of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A few of those exceptions are listed below.
The University also publishes the Campus Directory annually, and some professional and graduate student groups publish directories of students in their departments or schools.
Students who wish to restrict how address information is printed in the Campus Directory, or who wish to have all directory information restricted, must notify the Office of the University Registrar, in writing, before the end of the Fall or Spring registration period. A "Request for Non-Disclosure of Information" form available in 105 Hanes Hall, gives students certain options about release of information on campus.
Section A allows the student to block release of directory information in the campus directory, in printed lists generated by the Office of the University Registrar, and at computer terminals all over campus. If a student chooses this option, he or she will not be able to receive any information about his or her records by telephone. Instead the student must come in person and show photo ID, or send a written request acknowledging that he or she has placed a restriction on his or her record but requires specific information. To remove the restriction, the student must either come to 105 Hanes Hall and complete a "Request for Removing Restrictions on Non-Disclosure of Information" form or send a written request.
Section B on the form allows a student to retain an entry in the published campus directory but restricts how the information appears. The Office of the University Registrar will accept request forms at any time; however it cannot guarantee a proper listing in the Campus Directory unless it receives the request by the end of the Fall Registration period.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act also gives a student the right to inspect his or her education records and to request amendment of those records if they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights. To inspect his or her education records, a student must file a written request with the individual who has custody of the records that the student wishes to inspect (University Registrar, Academic Dean, Department Chair, Director of University Housing, etc.). This request must be honored within 45 days after the records custodian receives it. To request amendment of his or her records, a student first discusses the matter informally with the records custodian, and if the custodian does not agree to amend the records, he or she will inform the student of applicable appeal rights. Students also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education alleging that the University has not complied with FERPA.
Questions about FERPA should be addressed to the Associate University Counsel (CB# 9150, 01 South Building). The text of the statute and regulations and the University's FERPA policy are also available for inspection in 01 South Building.
Last Modified: November 9, 1999