Your rights as a student . . .

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

FERPA governs and protects students' rights to their individual education records. The primary rights protected under FERPA are:

• Students' rights to review and inspect their education records;
• Students' rights to have their education records amended or corrected;
• Students' rights to control disclosure of certain portions of their education records
• Students' right to file a complaint with the Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the institution to comply with FERPA.

Student's may not have access to:

• Parent's financial records (without written consent from the parent)
• Law Enforcement Records
• Medical, psychiatric records or similar records in connection with the treatment of the student
• Letters/statements of recommendation written prior to 1975.
• Recommendation letters written after 1975 may not be released if the student waived the right to inspect and review those letters and if:
  • The letters are related to admission to WMU;
  • The letters are used in consideration for employment;
  • The letters are used in determining the receipt of an honor.