Confidentiality of Student Information

The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides students with access to their education records as well as privacy protection concerning those records.  

Directory, or public information, would include information contained in the record which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed (i.e., name, address, phone number, major, dates of attendance, admission or enrollment status, campus, school, class standing, degrees and awards, activities, sports). All health-related and medical history information is confidential.  

Protected information would include information contained in the record which would generally be considered more sensitive or an invasion of privacy if disclosed (i.e., student identification number/social security number, grades, hours completed, GPA, current class schedule, parent name and address). At IU, this includes date of birth.  

Student written and dated consent must be obtained before releasing any private information. Exceptions are permitted when there is a legitimate educational interest or “need to know”.