Privacy Rights Policy

Applies to: Pittsburg State University students.

Policy:

A. Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.  Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department/school, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University officials will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
   
   
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.  Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the University officially responsible for the record; clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.  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 the hearing procedures will be provided to the students when notified of the right to a hearing.
   
   
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's 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 interests. 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 to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
   
   
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Pittsburg State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

B. Directory Information

The university from time to time publishes several bulletins, lists, brochures, catalogs, directories, yearbooks, annuals, guidebooks, news releases, sports information, honor rolls, etc., containing information that specifically identifies students and information about them. The university is authorized to publish, and will publish, such Directory Information, collectively or individually, unless a student within a reasonable time after the start of the semester notifies the Student Privacy Office (Registrar, 103 Russ Hall) in writing that all the categories listed below (designated Directory Information) should not be released without prior written consent. The following information is considered Directory Information:

1. Student name
2. Address
3. Telephone listing
4. Electronic mail address
5. Parents and next-of-kin information
6. Age
7. Classification
8. Enrollment Status (full/part-time)
9. Major and minor field of study
10. Student advisor
11. Dates of attendance
12. Degrees, honors, and awards received, and dates awarded/conferred
13. Previous educational institutions
14. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
15. Weight and height of members of athletic teams
16. Photograph, video or electronic image except for ID cards

C. Social Security Number

When applying for admission, a student is asked to provide the university with a social security number. While students may choose not to provide this information, no student may receive financial aid from any federally funded program or state payroll unless the social security number is on file. The university may be required to provide your social security number to the Kansas Division of Accounts and Reports for use in detection of fraudulent or illegal claims against state monies in accord with the general authority of K.S.A. 75-3728b.