Privacy / Security Policy

Under the conditions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), students^* are provided specific rights pertaining to University educational records and personal information on file with Southwest University.
 

* - a student is defined as any currently enrolled person or one who has been enrolled in Southwest University's programs.
 

The provisions of this law provide students the following privileges:
 

• Inspection and review of the student's educational records.
• Request the amendment to the student's records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights.
• Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, under section 99.4 concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the regulations of the ACT in the instance that a complaint cannot be resolved within the University.

It is the policy of Southwest University to regard personal and academic information of each student as confidential. Student information will not be released to a third party without the student's written permission, unless allowed by FERPA**.
 

Southwest University will release student information if supported by obtained appropriate permission.
 

Requests by students to inspect, review, or amend must be submitted in writing and identify the following:
 

• the record the student wishes to inspect
• the purpose of the disclosure
• the records that may be disclosed
• the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made
• signature and date

For requests to amend:
 

• students must clearly identify the portion of the educational record the student is requesting be changed.
• specify why the record should be changed.

If the requested change is not approved, the student will be notified of the University's decision and the student's right to a hearing. After the hearing if Southwest University still decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
 

Southwest University identifies the following as "Directory Information" that may be released without student consent:
 

Name, address, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, photograph, honors and awards, field of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status, degree(s) received, most recent school attended, or other comparable information.
 

Note: All other personally identifiable information is considered non-directory information and will not be released without student written consent.
 

To revoke the release of Directory Information, students must advise the University in writing by contacting the Registrar's Office. The student's records will be flagged: Privacy Hold.
 

**FERPA allows schools to disclose student records without consent to:
 

• School officials with legitimate educational interests.
• Other schools to which a student is transferring.
• Certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, and state education authorities.
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the University.
• Accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
• Appropriate parties in cases of health and safety emergency.
• Comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.
• State and local authorities pursuant to specific State law.

Note: The University will make a reasonable effort to notify the student of the order of a subpoena in advance of compliance.
 

In summary: FERPA applies to the education records of students who are currently enrolled or who have been enrolled.
 

The Act applies to all education records maintained by the University, and also all persons acting for the University, directly related to student(s).
 

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