2009-2010 Catalog - Graduate School - Bethel University

Academic InformationThe Family Educational Rights and PrivacyAct (FERPA)The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, isa federal law enacted to establish procedures for disclosing information containedin student records and to protect the privacy of these records. The Act appliesto currently enrolled students beginning at the point of deposit (“fee paid”) andformer students, but does not apply to individuals who have applied for admission,but never attended Bethel University. Applicants for admission who aredenied enrollment or who are accepted but do not deposit do not have a rightto review their records. Information obtained on a former student subsequent tograduation or termination of enrollment is not covered under the Act (e.g. dataaccumulated on alumni). All rights under the Act cease when a person dies—theuniversity will decide on an individual basis what records of deceased studentscan be released and to whom they will be released.Bethel University will notify students annually of their rights under the Act bypublishing such information in the university catalog. A complete policy is includedin the Student Handbook: College of Adult & Professional Studies/Graduate Schoolat Bethel University or from the Office of the Registrar.Currently enrolled and former students have a right to inspect their educationalrecords upon written request. Students must request permission in writing to inspecttheir records and must present that request to the appropriate office as notedin item three of this policy. The records will be made available to the student forinspection not more than 45 days following the request. A university employeewill be present while the student inspects his or her records.40