FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, was designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the act. Questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the Dean of Student Development Services.

SUNY Sullivan designates the following categories of student information as public or "Directory Information." Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose at its discretion:

• Name, address, dates of attendance
• Major field(s) of study
• Awards and honors (includes President's and Dean's Lists)
• Degree(s) conferred
• Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities
• Pertinent physical attributes of athletes (height and weight)

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. To withhold disclosure, forms are available in the Dean of Student Development Services Office in Harold L Gold Founders’ Hall (the upper J Building). Currently enrolled students may also withhold disclosure of directory information by completing a request form here.

If this form is not received by the college by the first week of classes, it will be assumed that directory information may be disclosed for the remainder of the current academic year. A new form for non-disclosure must be completed each academic year.

Students’ right of privacy may be considered waived under the following circumstances:

• Circumstances and results of disciplinary actions involving drug or alcohol violations may be revealed to parents (at the sole discretion of the college).
• Results of disciplinary action taken against a student to the victims of sexual harassment or assault.
• Parents of students under age 21 may receive additional access to student records if they make a request in writing to the Dean of Student Development Services. Copies of the previous year’s IRS 1040 Form showing the student is claimed as a dependent must accompany the letter.

If you wish to allow others (such as family members) to access your records, please carefully read and fill out the FERPA waiver.

For a Spanish language version of the FERPA waiver, please click here.