The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
LSU Shreveport protects the privacy of its students in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). According to this act, when a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 means that for the first time since a student began in pre-K, a parent may not expect the school to give them information about grades, academic standing, transcripts, discipline records, and other related materials. These records are available to the student pursuant to LSUS policy (page 6).
The US Department of Education website has more explicit information about the law. If you still have questions, please contact the Registrar.
Directory Info
At its discretion, the University may provide directory information to the public in accordance with the provisions of FERPA.
LSU Shreveport considers the following types of information as directory information:
- Student's name
- Mailing and e-mail address
- Telephone listing
- Date and place of birth
- Photographs
- Dates of enrollment
- Major field of study
- Enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time)
- Classification
- Degrees earned
- Awards and honors received
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
Students may have any or all of their directory information withheld by completing the Request for Confidentiality form in the Admissions and Records Office (AD 168) at the time of registration each semester. Requests to withhold directory information must be completed each semester.
Student Right to Inspect and Review Education Records
The student has the right to inspect and review education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a written request for access. To examine records, the student should submit to the Registrar (AD 168) a Request for Certification of Information form via myLSUS that identifies the record(s) he/she wishes to inspect. Registrar will arrange for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained the Registrar, he/she/they will advise the student of the correct person to whom the request should be addressed.
The Right to Request the Amendment of Education Records
The student has the right to request the amendment of education records that are believed to be inaccurate or misleading. A student may ask the university to amend a record that is believed to be inaccurate or misleading by writing the Registrar at registrar@lsus.edu.
The student should clearly identify the part of the record he/she wants changed, specify why the record is inaccurate or misleading, and provide any relevant documentation to justify the requested change. 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 the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedure will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The Right to Consent to Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information
The student has the right to consent to disclosure 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 the University/LSU System in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and counseling 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 Supervisors; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, graduate students serving as instructors, and students who are assisting a 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, the University may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which students seek or intend to enroll; public officials as specified by law; agencies and offices administering financial aid for records required in connection with a student's application for or receipt of financial aid; organizations for use in developing, validating or administering student aid programs and improving instruction; accrediting agencies; and appropriate persons in the case of health and safety emergencies. The University may release education records without consent to courts of law in response to court orders or subpoenas. When responding to a court order or subpoena, a reasonable effort in advance of compliance will be made to notify the student of all such orders or subpoenas.
To allow any person, other than those specified, access to a student's educational records, the student must submit a written, dated and signed waiver to the official responsible for the records. The waiver must specify the records to be released, the reasons for such release and the names of the persons to whom records should be released.
The Right to File a Complaint
The student has 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:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605