Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Part 99 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations) allows present or former students at educational institutions access to educational records kept on them, as well as basic protections of privacy of their records. The law does not apply to applicants seeking admission to the University. The law applies to educational records, which are defined as those records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency or institution.

The Dean of Students Office, 227 Whitmore Administration Building, keeps a list of types of educational records maintained by the University, where they are kept, and who is responsible for them. The Dean of Students Office also has available a description of your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and procedures to be followed in exercising those rights.

If you wish to see any of the educational records which apply to you, go to the office which keeps the records during regular working hours. Make your request in writing, following the procedures established by the office. If possible, you will have immediate access to your record. In no case will you have to wait more than 45 days. If you are required to wait, the office will tell you when your record will be available. You will have to identify yourself with a picture ID to see your record.

If you wish to challenge the content of your record, first try to work the problem out with the person responsible for the record. If this proves unsuccessful, you may request in writing a hearing at which you may present your challenge. Complete information on hearing and appeal procedures is available from the Dean of Students Office, 227 Whitmore Administration building.

More information about UMass FERPA policies. All students will have access to their records, projects, and assignments, including evaluations in CastleBranch.