University of Northwestern Ohio

FERPA Information

FERPA ANNUAL NOTIFICATION

For the purpose of FERPA, a student at the University of Northwestern Ohio is defined as someone currently or previously enrolled in any academic offering of the University. This does not include prospective students or applicants to any academic program of the University.

Educational records become subject to FERPA protection when students—regardless of age—have been in attendance, in person or remotely via enrollment in and access of a course via the University’s Learning Management System. This protection begins with the first day of the first term for which they have attended.

The University follows the guidelines as stated by Rooker  and Falkner, 2013, which says that “Institutions are free to define through institutional policy what the date of ‘in attendance’ will be so long as it is after the student has been admitted but no later than the first day of classes.”  Rooker & Falkner, 2013 AACRAO, 2013 FERPA Quick Guide

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records.  (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.)

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 Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  If the Office of the Registrar does not maintain the records, the Registrar shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request shall 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 the University official 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 student 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. An exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is defined as a person employed by the University as an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a person assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks, including student workers.  A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.  The University may forward education records to other institutions that have requested records and in which students seek to enroll or are already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the students’ enrollments.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University 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

Students may grant permission to authorized personnel at UNOH to release Non-Directory Information to designated persons. Applicants can do so by completing the FERPA Authorization Release Form provided by the Admissions Office. After becoming active students, they will maintain their list of designated persons in the MyUNOH Portal. The release will be valid until it is revoked, and the students can amend or terminate the permission in the same manner.

FERPA designates certain information related to students as Directory Information and gives the University the right to disclose such information to anyone inquiring without having to ask students for permission unless the student specifically requests in writing that ALL such information not be made public without their written consent.  A student’s written request to withhold Directory Information must be directed to the UNOH Registrar’s Office.  The request will remain in effect until it is revoked in writing.

Please consider very carefully the consequences of your decision to withhold Directory Information.  Should you decide NOT to release Directory Information, any requests for information from non-institutional persons or organizations will be refused.  For example, the decision to withhold Directory Information will prevent the release of enrollment verification for lenders and the release of graduation status to prospective employers if they call.

The University will honor your request to withhold Directory Information, but cannot assume responsibility to contact you for permission to release requested information.  Regardless of the effect upon you, the institution assumes no liability for honoring your instructions that information be withheld.  The request to withhold Directory Information must be made while the student is actively enrolled.  The restriction can be revoked in writing (signature required) at any time by the student.  Contact the Registrar’s Office to change your status.  Contact Loren Korzan, Director of Advising, if you have a question related to FERPA.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION - The following information is specified as "Directory Information":

• Name
• Address (local and home)
• Telephone Number (local and home)
• Email Address
• Participation in Officially Recognized Activities
• Enrollment Status
• Dates of Enrollment
• Major
• Degrees Earned
• Honors & Awards Received
• Grade Level (Jr./Sr.)
• Weight & Height of Athletic Team Members
• Most Recent Previously Attended Educational Institution

To download the FERPA Authorization Release Instructions, click here.