Information for Parents - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Q. How can I find out my student's grades, or if she/he is attending classes or advising appointments on a regular basis?

A. Communication between parents and academic deans/advisors can become complicated because the University is bound to keep student academic information confidential under FERPA. As such, the best approach is to ask your student directly.

We realize that communicating with young adults can be a challenge—often, they are not always as forthcoming as we would like. However, while parents may feel compelled to act on behalf of their student, academic deans/advisors in Undergraduate Advising (UA) must work with students to determine the extent to which parents can become involved. We encourage parents to ask their student directly about the student’s academic performance and related matters. Inclusion in a group conversation (student, parents, academic dean/advisor) can be arranged when requested by the student. And, we can certainly work directly with parents when the student has authorized us to do so.

Our overriding goal is to help students take responsibility for their own educational experience at the University, and while we certainly understand a parent’s concern and/or a desire to help resolve issues for their student, we will, as a rule, defer to the student. In addition, academic deans/advisors will notify students when they have communicated with or been contacted by their parents.

Q. Why do I not have access to my son or daughter's academic information, especially when I am paying the bills?

A. One of the most significant changes a parent experiences in sending a student to college is the difference in privacy standards for academic records. Under FERPA, once a student is eighteen years old or is attending any postsecondary institution, the access rights that parents (and legal guardians) had in the elementary/secondary school settings are transferred to students. Parents can only be given access to their student’s academic records if the student authorizes the permission in writing.

Q. Is there a single waiver that my student can sign so I can have access to all of her/his records? Or are there separate waivers for different offices?

A. No, there is not a single waiver that a student can sign to give a parent access to all records. Each office on campus that maintains student records is required to develop a written statement of its policies and procedures for handling those records; therefore, written permission is needed for each office. If you desire access to certain information, we recommend that you ask your student to provide permission to the office that is handling the particular matter.

Q. What then is the FERPA Privacy Waiver?

A. The FERPA Privacy Waiver only applies to your student’s financial, housing, and UCard information. The Waiver does not cover academic records (e.g., grades, credits, etc.). This waiver can be activated by your student by following the directions at this website: FERPA Waiver - SPIRE

Q. How does my student release her/his academic information?

A. A student must contact his/her Academic Dean’s Office to start to the process (See this Registrar page to help identify).

If the student is still deciding upon a major, her/his Academic Dean’s Office is Undergraduate Advising. As per the FERPA regulations, we insist that a student give her/his expressed written permission to release academic information via our Authorization for Release of Academic Information form. Because an original signature of the student is required, faxed forms are problematic and require an additional e-mail from the student’s OIT account as well as a follow-up phone call to 413-545-5103.

Authorization for Release of Academic Information ( Word or PDF).