Student Privacy
Policy Statement
Notification of Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords students 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 date the University receives a request for access.
Current and former students who wish to make a FERPA-related request to view records should submit an online request to the Office of the University Registrar that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. Under FERPA, a student is an individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational institution. Applicants do not have FERPA rights unless and until they are admitted and are in attendance at the University. Students are advised to provide complete information in order to assist the University in following up on the request. Please note that only the actual student can submit a FERPA request to review their education records. Federal law requires that the University provide access to requested extant records within 45 days. A Registrar's Office official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records requested are not under the control of the Registrar's Office, the Registrar's Office will make arrangements for the relevant office to provide the records within the time frame established under the law.The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA.
A student may ask the University to amend the record that he or she believes is inaccurate or misleading. The student should write the University official responsible for the record (with a copy to the University Registrar), clearly identify the part of the records he or she wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University 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 is provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
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.
FERPA contains various exceptions to the general rule that the University should not disclose education records without seeking the prior written consent of the student. The following circumstances are representative of those in which education records (and information drawn from education records) may be disclosed without the student's prior written consent:Upon request, the University may release Directory Information (see the "Directory Information" section of this policy below).
School officials who have a legitimate educational interest in a student's education record may be permitted to review it. A school official is: a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student or volunteer serving on an official committee (or representing a recognized student group), 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 responsibility to Stanford or to the student.
The University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, upon request of officials at that other school.
The University may choose to disclose education records (and information drawn from education records) to either supporting parent(s) or guardian(s) where the student is claimed as a dependent under the Internal Revenue Code.
The University may inform persons including either parent(s) or guardian(s) when disclosure of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
For students under the age of 21, the University may notify either parent(s) or guardian(s) of a violation of any law or policy relating to the use of alcohol or controlled substances.
The University must provide records in response to lawfully issued subpoenas, or as otherwise compelled by legal process.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5920. Phone: 1-800-872-5327.
Sharing Information with Parents
Students are encouraged to maintain an ongoing, open dialogue with parents throughout their careers at Stanford about academic progress and personal development. Most student difficulties are resolved at Stanford without involving parents. The University does recognize, however, that there are some exceptional situations where parental involvement may be appropriate to assist a student through a difficult circumstance. Under those circumstances, Stanford may (but is not required to) choose to disclose information to parents if permitted by law.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Stanford is permitted to disclose information drawn from education records to parents if one or more parent claims the student as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Some laws, especially those relating to medical and mental health care, prohibit the disclosure of information without the student's consent, even where the student is a tax dependent.
Directory Information
Stanford regards the following items of information as student “directory information,” that is, information that the university may make available to any person upon specific request (and without student consent):
Name*
Enrollment status
ID card photographs
Institution attended immediately prior to Stanford
Major(s), minor(s), and field(s) of study
Specific terms of attendance at Stanford
Stanford degree(s) awarded and date(s)
Stanford email address
Student theses and dissertations
University degree honors
Restricting Your Student Directory Information
You may prohibit the release of any of the information listed above by designating which information should not be released in the Privacy Settings of Axess.
You may prohibit the release of your name –and consequently all other information– after an appointment with the Student Services Center to discuss the ramifications of the action.
Student theses and dissertations can be restricted through the publishing options and embargo settings you choose during submission.
If you have questions regarding student records, contact the Student Services Center at stanfordFERPA@stanford.edu.
Consent to Use of Photographic Images
Registration as a student and attendance at or participation in classes and other campus and University activities constitutes an agreement by the student to the University's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the student's image or voice in photographs, video or audio capture, or electronic reproductions of such classes and other campus and University activities.
If any student in a class where such photographing or recording is to take place does not wish to have his or her image or voice so used, the student should raise the matter in advance with the instructor.
Implementation Information
Submit a FERPA Request
Current and former students who wish to make a FERPA-related request to view records must submit an online request to the Student Services Center.
If you are a current student or former student with an active Stanford ID, submit your request here. Stanford IDs typically remain active for five years after conferral.
If you are a former student who does not have an active Stanford ID, submit your request here.