Untitled - Academic Enhancement - Old Dominion University

Communicating With YourStudentDid you know that college students are in contact with their parentsan average of 13.4 times per week? How can you achievea level of communication and involvement that benefi ts both youand your student? Here’s what some veteran parents have told us:• Before classes begin, decide together how often to talk.• Be mindful of who is initiating the communication. Let yourstudent take the lead!• Before you pick up the phone or text, decide who will benefi tfrom the call.• Know how to recognize and respond to venting. Don’t rush tosolve the problem.• Know the resources at ODU and encourage your student to usethem! ODU wants your student to succeed!“There are only two lasting bequests we hope to give our children.One of these is roots, the other wings.”- Hodding Carter, JournalistRelease of Student InformationThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of educationrecords. The law provides guiding principles to educational institutionsfor appropriate use and release of student education records.Students are the “owner” of their education records. The institutionis the “custodian” of each student’s educational records.FERPA rights are granted to any student in attendance (regardlessof age) and former students.Families are familiar with routine access to student informationduring the K-12 years but when the student becomes 18 years oldor enrolls in a higher education institution, regardless of age, thestudent becomes the owner of the records and must be consultedin advance of granting access to family members.Parental Access to Students’ EducationalRecords:“Student” refers to a person who has reached the age of 18 or isattending an institution of post-secondary education. The right toinspect records is limited solely to the student. Records may bereleased to parents only if:• The student gives written permission each time the student’sinformation is provided• Evidence is submitted that the parents declare the student asa dependent on their most recent federal income tax form(Form-1040). Proof of dependency is required. Submit a copyof the federal Form-1040 cover page for the prior tax-reportingyear demonstrating dependency of the student to the Registrar’sOffi ce.If you, as a parent, want information about your student’sacademic progress or education records, consider doing thefollowing:• Engage in open dialogue with your student• If possible, ask your student to meet in-person with their academicadvisor or another professional from the University who ischarged with supporting your student’s success at the institution• If an in-person meeting is not feasible, suggest meeting via telephonewith the professionals mentioned above, as your studentsits with that person.Contact Information:Office of the University Registrar116 Rollins Hall(757) 683-4425; register@odu.eduhttp://www.odu/edu/registrar61