WILKES UNIVERSITY

STUDENT RIGHTS & REGULATIONS
Student Life Policies
At Wilkes, we strive to cultivate an environment that encourages intellectual curiosity,
critical thinking, and constructive actions. We wish to encourage students to make
decisions in terms of the highest ethical principles and to foster a sense of individual
and social responsibility that will lead to personal integrity and mutual trust.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Contact: Mark Allen, Ph.D., Dean of Students; Susan Hritzak, Registrar
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights
with respect to their education records. Students obtain these rights upon attendance at
Wilkes University. Attendance at Wilkes University begins with either the first day of
class or the date the student moves into student housing, whichever is earlier. Wilkes
University has chosen to assume that all students have reached the age of legal majority
(18) as stated in the document.
Consequently, bills and grades are sent, in the student’s name, directly to the permanent
address listed for the student. Mid-term notices are sent directly to students at their oncampus,
off-campus or permanent address. An exception is made for the mid-semester
evaluations for first-year students and students who are on academic probation. Those
mid-term records of satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance and attendance are sent
to the students at their appropriate address and to the parents or legal guardians of
these students.
Under FERPA, students have a right to see, inspect and request changes to their
education records. To inspect education records, a student should submit a written
request identifying the records to be inspected to the Office of Student Affairs, 2 nd floor,
Passan Hall. Written requests to access records will receive a response within a
reasonable time, but not more than forty-five days after submission. A University official
will arrange for access and will notify the student of the time and place where the
records may be inspected. Records that are not subject to review are outlined below. If
the records contain information on more than one student, the requesting student may
inspect, review, or be informed on only the specific information about his or her own
records. A student may obtain copies of his or her education records; however, will incur
duplicating costs.
The contents of a student's education records may be challenged by the student on the
grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy
rights of the student by submitting a written statement to the custodian of records. The
student should clearly identify the part of the record he or she wants changed and
specify why it should be changed. If Wilkes University decides not to amend the record
33