FERPA and the Release of Student Information
(Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

MERP may release the following directory information upon request: student's name; local address (including email); telephone numbers; likeness used in MERP publications including photographs; names and address of emergency contact; dates of attendance; school or division of enrollment; enrollment status; field of study; credit hours earned; degrees earned; honors received; participation in MERP recognized organizations and activities (including intercollegiate athletics); and height; weight; and age of members of athletic teams. 

Any student who does not wish directory information released must file written notice to this effect in the Office of the Student Services.

 
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.  These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education record within 45 days of the day MERP receives a request for access.  Students should submit to MERP Director of Student Services, Dean, Head of the academic department, or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.  MERP official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  If MERP 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.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.  Students may ask MERP to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  They should write MERP official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.  If MERP decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, MERP 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.

3. 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 MERP in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom MERP has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, 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, MERP discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by MERP to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  Complaints should be filed in writing to the following address: 

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920