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Privacy ACT

Student Records Policy

Pursuant to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”; 20 USC Par. 1232g), 34 CFR Par. 99.1 et seq, Florida Statutes Sub. Par. 1002.22 and 1006.52 and USF Rule 6C4-2.0021, Florida Administrative Code, students have the right to:

Inspect and review their education records
Privacy in their education records
Challenge the accuracy of their education records
Report violations of FERPA to the FERPA Office, Department of Education, 400 Madison Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202 and/or bring actions in Florida Circuit Court for violations of Rule 6C4-2.001, Florida Administrative Code.

Copies of the University’s student records policy, USF Rule 6C4-2.0021, may be obtained from:

University Registrar	or	USF Agency Clerk
SVC 1034		Office of the General Counsel
4202 Fowler Avenue		4202 Fowler Avenue -ADM 254
Tampa, Florida 33620		Tampa, Florida 33620

Release of Student Information

Pursuant to requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the following types of information, designated by law as “directory information,” may be released via official media of USF (according to USF policy):

Student name, local and permanent addresses, telephone listing, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, full- and part-time status, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, and other similar information.

The University Directory, published annually by the University, contains only the following information, however: student name, local and permanent address, telephone listing, classification, and major field of study. The Directory and other listings of “directory information” are circulated in the course of University business and, therefore, are accessible to the public, as well as to students, faculty, and staff.

Students must inform the USF Office of the Registrar in writing (forms available for that purpose), if they wish directory information to be withheld. Such requests must be received within the first two (2) weeks of the semester and will remain in effect until the student has not been enrolled at USF for three (3) consecutive terms.

Notification to the University of refusal to permit release of “directory information” via the University Directory must be received no later than the end of the first week of classes in the Fall Semester.

Confidentiality Policy

In the interest of openness and building trust with our students, USF now affords students the right to limit data usage and sharing of their information, without having to request non-disclosure of directory information under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Pursuant to the requirements of FERPA, the following types of information designated by law as “directory information” can be released, if the student has not requested privacy or non-disclosure: Name, Date of Birth, Address, Telephone, Major, Dates of Attendance, Enrollment Status, Degrees, and Prior Institutions Attended. *All other student data is considered to be protected.

Under new University policy which is less restrictive than Privacy under FERPA, students may now request confidentiality as a way to “opt out” from having their personal contact information (i.e. name, address, telephone) disclosed to vendors, credit card companies, or outside agencies that are not providing a service that would otherwise be performed by the University. To request confidentiality, go to: https://www.registrar.usf.edu/privacy/.

Direct questions or comments about the Web site to leahwilliams@sar.usf.edu