RVCC Confidential Information Policy (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protects the privacy of education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provides guidelines for contesting information in these records that is believed to be inaccurate or misleading. Students have the right to inspect and review all of their education records maintained by the College. The College is not required to provide copies of records unless it is not reasonably convenient for students to inspect their records.
Students have the right to request that the College correct records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides, in response to such a request, not to amend a student’s record, the student has the right to a formal hearing before the Dean of Student Services. After the hearing, if the College maintains its position that the student’s record should not be amended, the student has the right to enter a statement into his/her records commenting on the contested information.
The College will not release any confidential information from a student’s record without the written consent of the student, except for releasing information to:
- College officials with a legitimate educational interest
- Other institutions at which a student intends to enroll
- Certain government officials for the purpose of carrying out their lawful functions
- Appropriate parties involved with the awarding of financial aid to a student
- Organizations conducting appropriate research for the College
- Accrediting agencies
- Individuals who have obtained appropriate court orders or subpoenas
- Persons who have need for the information in cases of health and safety emergencies
The College may disclose Directory Information without the written consent of the student. Directory Information includes the following:
- Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Date and place of birth
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status
- Previous institutions attended
- Major field of study
- Awards and honors
- Degrees and/or Certificates awarded including date of conferral
- Past and present participation in officially recognized College activities
- Height and weight of student athletes
Students may request the withholding of Directory Information. To ensure that such a request is properly processed, it must be submitted on the official “Request to Withhold Directory Information” form, which is available in the Office of Enrollment Services. The request to withhold information will remain in effect until the student submits a signed authorization for the release of Directory Information.
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. For further information regarding the filing of complaints, students should contact the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.
