The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day BBCC receives a request for access.
- The right to request an amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is: a person employed by BBCC in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position; a person or company with whom BBCC has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, National Student Clearinghouse); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. Unless restricted by the student, BBCC may disclose the following information without the student’s written consent: student’s name, major field of study, participation in officially recognized sports, enrollment status, dates of attendance, honors, degrees or certificates earned, and term degree or certificate awarded.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Big Bend Community College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.