Mississippi Valley State University

Release of Student Information

Unless there is a written request to the contrary, "directory information" will be made available to parents, spouses, prospective employers, government security agencies, previous schools attended, campus organizations which require minimum scholastic average for membership and organizations awarding financial assistance (grants, scholarships and loans), name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially-recognized activities, sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, previous educational agency or institution attended by student and other similar information. students must inform the Office of Student Records, in writing, if they refuse to permit the University to release "directory information" aboutthem without specific prior consent. Transcripts are released only at the request of the student, and in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, or in compliance with a court order.

Questions or concerns about the privacy of students' education records or these procedures may be brought to the attention of the Director of Student Records, located in the Office of Student Records, Administration Annex I Building (temporary location). The Director of Student Records prepares and maintains a transcript as the permanent scholastic record for each student. These records are treated with due regard to the personal nature of the information they contain. The records are the property of the Unviersity and include a consistent retention policy. A transcript is sent, issued, or released only upon a student's request or with a student's explicit permission. Such permission is not required when University faculty and administrative personnel request unofficial transcripts for educational purposes.

The Buckley Amendment

Provisions for reviewing and correcting student information as required under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment) have been available to MVSU students and parents for many years. Essentially, students have the opportunity to see official copies of their personal and acaemic information which are collected and distributed by the Office of Student Records during each semester of enrollment. Further, the student has the opportunity to correct personal and other data and submit such changes to the Office of Student Records during the registration period.

Pursuant to requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the following types of information are hereby designated as "directory information" and may be released via official media of MVSU according to the University policy: the student's name, address, telephone nubmer, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, part-time or full-time enrollment status, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student and other similar information. Students must inform the Office of Student Records, in writing, if they refuse to permit the University to release "directory information" about them without specific prior consent. Notification to the University of refusal to release any of this information to anyone except as provided by law. Such a decision may result in a student's name not appearing in lists of honor students, candidates for graduation, athletic programs, news releases, and the like. Therefore, students are encouraged to give this matter careful consideration before making the decision. Once made, the decision will remain in effect until notification is received by the Office of Student Records, in writing, to the contrary.

If the student is a minor, the parents or legal guardians may exercise the same rights. If the student is 18 years of age or older, MVSU will not permit the parents or legal guardians to inspect the student's record unless the student has stated, in writing, to the Director of Student Records that the records may be released or opened for inspection.

However, if the parents are supporting the student — that is, if the student is a dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Code — then the University may choose to disclose the records to the parents. If parents insist on a review of the records and demonstrate that their student is dependent, the University will grant access to the records.

Students have 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 federal law as they pertain to access and disclosure of student education records. The name and address of contact is:

Questions or concerns about the privacy of students' education records or these procedures may be brought to the attention of the Director of Student Records, temporarily located in the Administration Annex I Building.