FERPA Privacy Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. A student's FERPA rights go into effect once they are enrolled and have attended at least one class at George Fox University.
Students
An eligible student has the right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
In addition, an eligible student has the right to inspect and review his or her education records within 45 days after the day George Fox University receives a request for access.
Finally, an eligible student has the right to request the amendment of any part of his or her education record that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
Release of Information
At its discretion, George Fox University may provide "directory information" in accordance with provisions in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Directory information is defined as that information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The university has defined the following information to be "directory information":
- Parents’ names and addresses
- The student’s name
- Permanent address
- Local address
- Temporary address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Date and place of birth
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Major
- Dates of attendance
- Full-time and part-time status
- Degrees and awards received
- Class year
- The most recent previous school attended
- Theses and dissertations
- Student job assignments and locations
- Photographs of the student
- Audio recordings of the student
- Video recordings of the student
For members of athletics teams, "directory information" may also include:
- Height
- Weight
- Position played
Release of Non-Directory Information
Students have the ability to release some non-directory information (e.g., grade reports, class schedule) to specific people (i.e., spouse, parents). To do so, each student must complete a FERPA Release of Information Form (accessible in MyGeorgeFox > eForms > Student > FERPA Release).
This release will be held on file in the registrar's office until revoked in writing. Release of information according to FERPA regulations is specific to the application. Therefore, academic and financial information require distinct approvals. Use the Student Account and Release of Financial Aid Release of Information Form to make approvals you wish to make.
Restricting Directory Information
Students may elect to restrict the release of their directory information but must do so for all such information (it is not possible to restrict only a portion of the information) by submitting a signed form to the registrar's office annually by the second week of each academic year.
The Request to Prevent Release of Directory Information form is available in the registrar's office.
Faculty & Staff Resources
Review FERPA laws through this FERPA Introductory Training Presentation for university employees. After reviewing the training presentation, test your knowledge with this FERPA Quiz .
Some faculty and staff should also have access to view a student’s FERPA release information. Contact the Registrar's office if you're unsure if a student has submitted a release form.
We also offer this Student Employee Email Policy as a resource for offices whose student employees send emails with FERPA protected information as a part of their job.
Release Forms
Release of Information Permission Form
Accessible in MyGeorgeFox > eForms > Student > FERPA Release
Use this form to give permission for people outside of the university (like a parent or spouse) to have access.
Release Form for Academic Recommendations
Use this form to give permission to a George Fox employee to give a recommendation for a student to a third party.
Online version : Upon form submission, it will route to the given George Fox employee. You must be logged in to your George Fox email account on a separate tab to have access to this form.
PDF version: Provide to George Fox employee(s) when requesting recommendation.