FERPA: Annual Notification of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) entitles a student to certain rights with respect to their education records and Directory information. Education records contain information such as academic transcript, financial aid and student account records. A student's rights regarding these records according to FERPA are:

• The right to inspect and review their education records. Students should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The New York School of Interior Design will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected within a reasonable time.

• The right to request the amendment of their education records to ensure that they are accurate and not in violation of their privacy rights.   Students should write to the NYSID official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the New York School of Interior Design decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, NYSID will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student at that time.

• The right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by NYSID 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
       400 Maryland Avenue SW
       Washington, DC 20202-4605
  

• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records (information that would make their identity easily traceable; e.g., Social Security number, etc.) except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to College officials with legitimate educational interests. A College official is a person employed by the New York School of Interior Design in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom NYSID has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Directors; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting antoher College official in performing his or her tasks. A College official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.  Although Directory information can be shared with third parties without the consent of students; NYSID does offer students the opportunity to request that this information is not provided to outside interests. The request should be put in writing and submitted to the Registrar.
  
  A brochure produced by the U.S. Dept. of Education with more information about FERPA can be found here.