Confidentiality/Privacy Rights/Right to Know
University of Richmond procedures and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibit the unauthorized release of confidential information about individual students. However, directory information is not considered to be confidential and may be published or otherwise released. Directory information includes: name; addresses, including permanent, campus, local (off-campus), email, and campus computer network (IP) address; associated telephone numbers; date and place of birth; school or college; major and/or minor fields of study; degree sought; expected date of completion of degree requirements and graduation; degrees conferred; awards and honors (e.g., dean's list); full- or part-time enrollment status; dates of attendance; previous institutions attended; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of an athletic team; and photograph. A full list of information considered directory information is available on the Office of the University Registrar's website at registrar.richmond.edu/ferpa/statement/index.html or by contacting the Office of the University Registrar. Students may opt to have their directory information withheld. To exercise this option, the appropriate form must be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar, completed, and returned to that office. Once filed, this form remains in effect until withdrawn by the student in writing to the Office of the University Registrar. For further information, contact the Office of the University Registrar.
Note: Code of Virginia 23.1-405(C) restricts the disclosure of a student's email address, physical address, or telephone number to parties outside the University under the exception in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for directory information unless the student has approved the disclosure in writing.
Rights with Respect to Education Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
1. Access to Education Records: students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a written request for access. Students should submit their request to the Office of the University Registrar and specify the record(s) they wish to inspect. Arrangements will be made for access and the student notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. Request for Amendment of Education Records: students have the right to request amendment of their education records if they believe the records are inaccurate. They should write the University Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. Disclosure of Education Records: students have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the University discloses records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. Right to File a Complaint: Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Richmond to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605
The University's complete policy statement can be found on the University Registrar's website at registrar.richmond.edu/ferpa/statement/index.html
Note: Because of the access afforded by a University ID, this number is not considered directory information and will not be released without a student's consent except in situations as listed above. Students should treat the University ID as confidential-it should be protected and not carelessly shared with others. It will be used for a student's entire time at the University of Richmond, so it should always be treated in a confidential manner.
Right To Know
In accordance with the Student Right To Know and Campus Security Act, the University of Richmond makes graduation rates available to all current and incoming students. These figures can be found on the University's website at ifx.richmond.edu/research/fact-book.html.