FERPA & Your Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA, protects academic and other education records of students from unauthorized access. It allows the University to refuse to issue a transcript in the event of an outstanding financial obligation to the University or to a national loan program.
FERPA permits access to academic records within the University under the "legitimate need to know" clause. This allows faculty advisors, administrators, and selected staff access as long as the use of such information is within the purpose of the University and for the benefit of the student.
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's educational records. These rights, however, transfer to the student when he/she reaches 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level, whichever is earlier. A student, regardless of age, is the "legal entity" once he/she begins to attend class through Union University. Students must consent in writing before a record is released or grades are discussed.
The FERPA release does not provide copies of progress reports or final grades to parents or other parties.
It is the policy of Union University that any official transcript and/or verification of enrollment should be ordered through the Student Clearinghouse at . A student copy of the Union transcript for currently enrolled students is available to the student through Self Service.
Any document containing grades or grade point average of high school academic records or college credits transferred to Union University should be issued from the institution that maintains the permanent record. High School transcripts and transfer transcripts on file at Union University are third party, non-transferable records and are the property of Union University.
FERPA considers directory information (name, email address, date and place of birth, photograph, academic major/minor, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most previous institution attended) public information. However, Union University does not release personal information without written consent from students.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the University Registrar.