4.30 Student Directory Information Available to the Public
Purpose
Riverland Community College’s policy is to align student information available to the public in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law requires that Riverland Community College, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s education records. However, Riverland Community College may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless the student has advised the college to the contrary in accordance with college procedures.
Applicability
The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the college to include this type of information from a student’s education records in certain school publications.
Examples include
- A playbill showing a student’s role in a drama production
- Honor roll or other recognition lists
- Graduation programs
- Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members
Directory information—information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy—can be disclosed to outside organizations without a student’s prior written consent.
If a student does not want the college to disclose directory information from their education records without prior written consent, the student must notify the college in writing.
Riverland Community College has designated the following items as directory information. This information may be released without the consent of the student.
- Student’s name
- Major field of study
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Dates of attendance
- The most recent previous educational institution attended
- Classification (freshman, sophomore)
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Date of graduation
- Height, weight, and high school information for athletic participants
- Student photographs (stills or motion)
- Riverland-issued email address
- Enrollment status (enrolled, withdrew, graduated, full-time or part-time)
Students may request that this information be designated “non-directory information” by completing a request form in any Riverland Student Service Center. If a student chooses to have this information designated “non-directory information” by the college, the college will not release this information as public information about that student once the written request has been submitted. However, the college may still be required to release this information under certain circumstances. For more information about the release of student information, please contact the College Registrar.
Scope
Students
Procedure
Yes
Related Policies, Procedures, or Forms
Submit completed form and policy to the Cabinet Member responsible for the division affected by the proposal. This section to be completed by President’s Office.
Date Issued: 3/14/2013
Responsible Division / Author: Human Resources / Human Resource Director
Date Revised: 2/17/2017 (logo); 3/8/2022 new template