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Registrar

Office of the Registrar Texas A&M University Office of the Registrar
Published on 04/19/2024 09:20 AM

FERPA Exception – Audit or Evaluation
Under FERPA, prior, written student consent is required before disclosing information from their education record. Exceptions to this are: 1) the allowable release of data categorized as Directory Information for enrolled students who have not suppressed the release of this information; 2) the allowable release of appropriate information to school officials with a legitimate educational interest; 3) disclosure in connection with a health or safety emergency.

An additional exception to written consent under FERPA is the disclosure for audit or evaluation purposes. Disclosures may be allowed under this exception when auditing or evaluating a Federal- or State-supported education program or to enforce or comply with Federal legal requirements related to the program. Under this FERPA exception, disclosure may only include a State or local educational authority or other FERPA-permitted entities, or an authorized representative of a State of local educational authority or other FERPA-permitted entity.

Practical Implications
If information is disclosed under this FERPA exception, the disclosure must be recorded in the student education record. Employees should record this information in COMPASS on the SPACMNT form.

Furthermore, questions about disclosure under this FERPA exception may be directed to the Office of the Registrar at ferpa@tamu.edu.

For additional FERPA information, be sure to review the Office of the Registrar site for FERPA and FERPA Forms & Resources. Training is available for university personnel on FERPA: Implications for Faculty, Staff & Advisors (TrainTraq #2114557). The current schedule is available within TrainTraq by searching either the course title or number. Individuals within the Office of the Registrar are available to participate in FERPA presentations and/or question and answer sessions for any department or college faculty or staff meeting. To schedule, submit a request to ferpa@tamu.edu or call (979) 845-1711.

If you have a topic that you are interested in exploring for a future Friday Fun with FERPA, please email ferpa@tamu.edu. Alternatively, you can submit an anonymous form with topic ideas HERE.