Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g and 34 CFR Part 99. FERPA protects the privacy of student education records and grants students specific rights concerning those records.

Student Rights Under FERPA

Eligible students have the right to:

• Inspect and review education records.
• Request correction of inaccurate or misleading records.
• Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information.
• Restrict disclosure of directory information where permitted.
• File a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by WUST to comply with this law

Student Education Records

Education records include records maintained by WUST that are directly related to a student, including:

• Academic transcripts
• Grades and evaluations
• Enrollment records
• Financial aid information
• Student conduct records
• Advising records
• Learning management system records
• Student support service records

Authorized Disclosures

WUST may disclose education records without prior student consent when permitted by FERPA, including disclosures to:

• University officials with legitimate educational interests
• Accrediting organizations
• Government agencies
• Financial aid providers
• Organizations conducting studies on behalf of WUST
• Health and safety authorities during emergencies

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), WUST protects the privacy of students’ records, including social security numbers, home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, grades, attendance dates, and financial information. The Act provides each student, former student or alumnus with the right to inspect and review information contained in his/her academic file after submitting a written request to the Registrar, the Custodian of Records. When needed, each student also has the right to submit written requests for amendments to his/her academic records.

WUST strives to fully comply with this law by protecting the privacy of student records and judiciously evaluating requests for the release of information from those records. FERPA authorizes the release of "Directory Information" without the student's prior consent under certain conditions which are set forth in the Act. Students who wish to withhold their directory information must submit a Directory Information Withhold Form to the Registrar’s Office.

With several exceptions provided by law, WUST cannot release information concerning students to third parties without their written consent. The provision of financial data to authorized agencies is not a violation of the Buckley Amendment. The student’s written consent is not required for the disclosure of grades, disciplinary action, or other information to parents of students who are dependents for Federal tax purposes. Parents requesting information may generally be granted access upon submission of a signed statement to WUST or other evidence of Federal income tax dependency. Inquiries regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) should be directed to the Registrar.

In case a student, his/her parents or any other individual has a complaint that an official of WUST is violating FERPA, and the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the administration of the University, that individual has the right to file a complaint with the

Students should be aware that as required by Virginia state law (SB559/HB984, §23–2.2:1), WUST must comply with all laws and, if requested under law, WUST must provide the Virginia State Police (or other legal agency with appropriate authority) with the following information: Student’s full name, social security number, date of birth, and gender.

Students who feel aggrieved with WUST, its policies, procedures, standards, regulations, practices, or its administration, faculty and staff or other students may submit grievances in writing to the Academic office. This can result in an investigation and hearing and eventual discipline against a student, staff, faculty or administrator. Due process and timely action will be observed. Dismissal of a student will not take place without a formal hearing.

Any issues or problems which have not been satisfactorily answered or resolved by WUST may also be directed to the:

Educational Technology Providers Acting as School Officials

WUST designates certain service providers as School Officials under FERPA when they perform institutional services and maintain appropriate safeguards.

1. Canvas by Instructure

Privacy Policy: https://www.instructure.com/policies/product-privacy-policy

Security: https://www.instructure.com/privacy-security

2. Populi

FERPA Documentation: https://support.populiweb.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034192594-FERPA-and-Populi

Privacy Policy: https://populi.co/legal/privacy/

3. Google Workspace for Education

Privacy & Security: https://edu.google.com/why-google/privacy-security/

4. Microsoft 365 Education

Privacy Statement: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement

5. Slate by Technolutions

Privacy Policy: https://technolutions.com/privacy-policy/

6. Turnitin

Privacy Policy: https://www.turnitin.com/privacy

7. TimelyCare

Privacy Policy: https://timelycare.com/privacy-policy/

Protection of Student Information

WUST implements administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect education records from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

FERPA Complaints

Students who believe their FERPA rights have been violated may contact:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

https://studentprivacy.ed.gov

Office of the Registrar

Washington University of Science and Technology

[email protected]