The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act provides students with certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar's Office 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. Proper identification must be presented by the student prior to the inspection of the records. The Registrar will remain present while the student reviews his or her education record. If the Registrar's Office does not maintain the records that are requested, the Registrar 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 College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part(s) of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to an appeal process regarding the request for amendment.
- 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 that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, support staff position or 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 responsibilities. Another exception can occur in the event of a health and/or safety emergency. A log sheet, indicating the reason for inspection and signed by the official reviewing the file, must be kept in the student's file at all times.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 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