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Office of the Registrar Texas A&M University Office of the Registrar
Published on 10/13/2023 08:16 AM

Friday Fun with FERPA

Student Education Records

Under FERPA, education records are defined as ‘those records directly related to a student and maintained by the institution or by a party acting for the institution’.

Records can contain a student’s name, or several students’ names, or information from which an individual student or students can be personally (individually) identified. Education records include files, documents, and materials in any medium (handwriting, print, monitor screen, tapes, disks, film, microfilm, microfiche or notes) that contains information directly related to students and from which students can be personally identified.

Education records do not include:

  • Records kept in the sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person (except a temporary substitute for the maker)
  • Law enforcement records
  • Employment records, unless status as a student is required as a condition for employment
  • Medical and/or psychological counseling records maintained for the sole purpose of treatment
  • Most information in alumni records
  • Parents’ financial information

Practical Implications

Education records – regardless of medium – should be treated as confidential unless prior, written, student consent has been given or disclosure falls under a permissible FERPA exception.

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, please call 979-845-1711 or submit a request to ferpa@tamu.edu.

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