Confidentiality of Student Records

The university ensures the confidentiality of student educational records in accordance with State University System rules, state statutes and FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, also known as the Buckley Amendment.

Student directory information that can be released to the public is limited to:

• Student name
• Local/permanent addresses
• Listed telephone number(s)
• Email address
• Class and college
• Major
• Enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate level; full time or part time)
• Dates of attendance at UF
• Degree(s) and awards received at UF
• Most recent previous educational institution attended
• Weight and height of university athletes

Currently enrolled students must contact the appropriate agency/agencies to restrict release of directory information. The Office of the University Registrar, the Department of Housing and Residence Education, and Human Resource Services routinely release directory information to the public. Directory information may also be released by other university departments and/or employees.

• Students who want to restrict directory information must do so at the Office of the University Registrar in 222 Criser Hall.
• Students who live on campus also must request this restriction from the Department of Housing and Residence Education (next to Beaty Towers).
• Students who are university employees also must request this restriction from Human Resource Services.
• Students who do not want their addresses, phones or personal information published on the Web should update their directory profile.

Student educational records may be released without a student’s consent to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in accessing the records. School officials shall include:

• An employee, agent or officer of the university or State University System of Florida in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position;
• Persons serving on university committees, boards and/or councils; and
• Persons employed by or under contract to the university to perform a special task, such as an attorney or an auditor.

Legitimate educational interest shall mean any authorized interest or activity undertaken in the name of the university for which access to an educational record is necessary or appropriate to the operation of the university or to the proper performance of the educational mission of the university.

The university also may disclose information from a student’s educational record without a student’s consent to either individuals or entities permitted such access under applicable federal and state law.

Students have the right to review their own educational records for information and to determine accuracy. A photo I.D., other equivalent documentation or personal recognition by the custodian of the record will be required before access is granted. Parents of dependent students, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, have these same rights upon presentation of proof of a student’s dependent status. Each spring when the catalog is published, students are notified of their FERPA rights.

If a student believes the educational record contains information that is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of his or her rights, the student can ask the institution to amend the record. The UF Student Guide outlines the procedures for challenging the content of a student record, as well as the policies governing access to and maintenance of student records.

Students who believe the university has not maintained the confidentiality of their educational record as required by law may file a complaint by contacting the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5901.