Office of the Registrar
Office of the Registrar
1. Release of Personally Identifiable Information
2. Release of Education Records
3. Your Right to Review Your Records
4. Release of Information to Parents
5. School Officials' Responsibility Regarding Privacy of Students' Records
The University of Southern Mississippi, consistent with the regulations of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act as amended in 1974, insures students the right to inspect and review their educational records within 45 days from the time of the request.
University personnel with a legitimate educational interest may have access to Personally Identifiable Information and Education Records.
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
Social Security Number
EmplID
Residency Status
Gender
Religious Preference
Race/Ethnicity
EDUCATION RECORDS
Student's Class Schedule
Grades/GPA
Test Scores
Academic Standing
Academic Transcripts
The law prohibits the release of personally identifiable information without the student's permission, with the following exceptions:
Student's Name
Address
Telephone Number
Campus E-mail Address
Major
Dates of Attendance
Classification
Degree(s) Earned
Previous Institutions Attended
Participation in Student Organizations
Participation in University-recognized Organizations and Activities
Weight and Height of Athletic Team Member
Honors and Awards
Student's Photo
Dean's/President's List
* A student may request that the University not release directory information by completing a written request and submitting verifiable identification to the Office of the University Registrar. A form is available on the Hattiesburg campus in the Office of the University Registrar (Kennard-Washington Hall, Room 110) and on the Gulf Park campus in the Office of Enrollment Services (Hardy Hall, room 235). Students who are not able to come to either campus can send an inquiry to registrarFREEMississippi, and we will send you a form with return instructions. Please be aware that if you choose to make your directory information private, your name will not appear in the graduation program when you graduate, and the university will be unable to verify your status to future employers.
The University reserves the right to deny copies of records, including transcripts, not required to be made available if student has an unpaid balance to the University.
The University is authorized to provide access to student records to campus officials and employees who have legitimate educational interest in such access, without the student's written consent. These persons are those who have responsibilities in connection with campus academic, administrative or service functions and who have reason for using student records connected with their campus or other related academic/administrative responsibilities as opposed to a personal or private interest. Such determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.
University officials will release educational information upon receipt of a signed, dated, written consent of the student which must specify the records that may be disclosed and identify the party to whom the disclosure may be made.
To officials of another school, school system, or an institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks admission or is enrolled.
Parents of a dependent student, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Section 152, and who supply supporting documentation, may be granted access to a student's educational record under some circumstances.
Other circumstances that allow access to a student's educational record:
Students have the right to inspect and review all materials in their file(s) with the exception of items not considered educational records, as follows:
FERPA affords students the opportunity to challenge or amend their education record if it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of privacy or other rights of the student. The student may submit a written request to the Registrar's Office (KWH 110) that the record be amended or that the FERPA. violation be investigated. The request should include justification for the challenge. A grade may be challenged on the grounds that it was inaccurately recorded.
Within 60 days of receipt of the written request, the University will inform the student whether the record will be amended.
If the decision is negative, the student may submit a written request for a hearing in order to challenge the content of the record(s). The hearing committee will inform the student of the date, place, and time of the hearing.
Challenges and requests for a hearing must be in writing and should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar.
FERPA rights transfer to the student at age 18 or at the time of attendance at a post-secondary institution, regardless of age. The University must receive the student's written and signed consent before releasing Personally Identifiable Information or Education Records to parents or spouses.
If the student is considered "financially dependent," parents or legal guardians may obtain Personally Identifiable Information at the discretion of the institution by providing to the Office of the University Registrar a copy of the most recently filed federal tax return.
Requests for Personally Identifiable Information or Education Records should be referred to the Office of the University Registrar.
A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted; student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary committee or a person assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
It is the responsibility of each school official to understand his or her legal responsibilities under FERPA. These include maintaining the privacy of students' grades for any course or for any activity which is part of a course.
This policy is violated if a student's grade is (1) openly mentioned in class; (2) publicly posted in a personally identifiable manner such as social security number or student identification number; (3) paper, test, or projects in public view (4) released over the telephone or electronically to any person other than the student or his/her designee with written consent.
Disclosure of a student's' grades by a faculty member may be made only in a manner that makes the grades identifiable only to the faculty member and the student.
Upon completion of training, school officials will be provided documentation he/she realizes discloser of non-directory information violates FERPA and places the University at risk of losing Federal funding.
Questions or complaints about the policies and procedures about the University's "Policy on Student Records" or about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, should be directed to:
Attn: Greg Pierce, University Registrar
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5006
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Telephone number: 601.266.5006
Individuals have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the 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