Confidentiality of Student Records

The university ensures the confidentiality of student records in accordance with the provisions of various federal, state, and university regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, also known as the Buckley Amendment. The statutes and regulations also provide certain rights to students concerning their education records.

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

• Student name
• Class and college
• Local and permanent addresses
• Listed telephone number(s)
• Email address
• Enrollment status
• Most recent previous educational institution attended
• Dates of attendance at the University of Florida
• Major
• Degree earned
• Nature and place of employment at the university
• Honors and awards received
• Publication titles
• Participation in officially recognized or registered activities and sports
• Weight and height of university athletes

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. Currently enrolled students must contact the appropriate agency/agencies to restrict release of directory information.

• 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 the 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 the student's educational record without their consent to 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 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 the student's dependent status. Each spring when the catalog is published, students are notified of their FERPA rights.

If a student believes their educational record contains information that is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their rights, she or he 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.

If a student believes the university has not maintained the confidentiality of their educational record as required by law, he or she 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.