Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA)
Notification of Student Rights Under FERPA and Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), a Federal law, requires that TCSG and its technical colleges, with certain exceptions, obtain a student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from that student’s education records.
However, TCSG or its technical colleges may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent unless the student has advised TCSG or the technical college to the contrary. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without the student’s prior written consent.
If a student does not want TCSG or the technical college to disclose directory information from his or her student education records without prior written consent, the student must notify TCSG or the technical college where he or she is enrolled in writing by the first day of the semester at the registrar’s office at his or her technical college. A student need only file this notification once during his or her enrollment. However, if a student enrolls in another TCSG technical college, a new notification must be filed.
Even if a student elects to prohibit the release of directory information, TCSG or the technical college may still implement policies requiring the student to wear or present a student ID badge.
The Technical College System of Georgia and its technical colleges define "directory information" as follows:
- Full name of student
- Major and field(s) of study
- Enrollment status (i.e., full or part-time, etc.)
- Degrees and awards including nature and date received
- Dates of attendance
- Participation in official sports and activities
- Height and weight of athletic team members
The Technical College System of Georgia and its technical colleges define “non-public directory information” as follows:
- Adress
- Email Address
- Telephone Number
Non-public directory information is not available to the public but is available to any college official.
Additionally, certain state and federal laws require the release of certain student information without prior notification to the student