Privacy and Student Records - FERPA
Notification of Rights under FERPA
Student academic records are maintained by the Registrar’s Office, as well as other administrative offices. Access to the student’s educational records and the protection of the confidentiality of such records is governed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. NECI supports the purpose of the act, which is to provide greater privacy safeguards to students.
Directory Information
Directory information, described in this section, may be released by the school without the student’s permission. However, a student may refuse disclosure of directory information by stating such refusal in writing to the Registrar. Upon making such a refusal to disclose request, the student will be required to meet with the Registrar. All refusals to disclose directory information will expire at the end of the student’s enrollment period.
- Student’s and parents’ name, address and phone number
- Student’s electronic mail address
- Date and place of birth
- Date of enrollment/date of withdrawal (i.e., whether the student is, or is not, currently enrolled)
- Major field of study
- Date/anticipated date of graduation and degrees earned
- Awards and honors received
- Previous education institutions attended
Notification of Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights regarding their education records. They are:
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 30 days of date the school receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the Registrar or Director of Academic Services a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will arrange for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the school official to whom the request was submitted does not maintain the records, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school 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 school decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the school 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.
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 school in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the school has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, third-party services, 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 in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:
- Family Policy Compliance Office
- U.S. Department of Education
- 600 Independence Avenue, SW
- Washington, DC 20202-4605
A copy of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (P.L. 93-380, Sec. 513) is on file with the Registrar.
Name Changes
Students who have completed a legal name change may request this same change be made to their official student record at NECI. No official records will be changed until the following information is provided:
If a student has a legal name change by marriage, the following information must be provided:
- Original new social security card with the new name
- Original marriage certificate with the new name
If a student has a legal name change by court order, the following information must be provided:
- Original new social security card with the new name
- Original signed court order with the new name
The student must present the official documentation to either the Admissions Office or the Registrar's Office to be copied. If the name change is prior to enrollment, the information will be processed through the Admissions Office. If the name change is subsequent to enrollment, the information must be processed by the Registrar's Office directly. Students enrolled in fully online programs, should contact the Registrar’s Office or their online student Advisor for assistance.
