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Students have certain rights concerning their “education records” under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, 20 U.S. 1232g et.seq. (FERPA). These include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the Registrar's Office, or in the case of graduate studies, to the Graduate School, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

All enrolled and former students may have access to their educational records maintained within the University. Those individuals and agencies having access to a student’s records include “school officials,” defined below, with legitimate educational interests; parents claiming a student as a dependent on their federal income tax; scholarship and other financial aid organizations supporting the student; organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, student aid programs, or to improve instruction; organizations carrying out accrediting functions of programs offered by the University; appropriate person(s) in an emergency; and any party designated by judicial order or subpoena, provided that, except for subpoenas and orders issued for law enforcement purposes, the University first notifies the student of the order or subpoena. Any other individual or organization must have a student’s written consent to view or have access to the educational record.

A student may receive one copy of each item of information contained in the educational record at a cost of $.25 (charge subject to change) per page.


2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.


3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

An exception exists for public release of “directory information” unless the student has placed a written request that such information be withheld in the Registrar's Office by the end of the second week of classes. Colorado State defines “directory information” as a student’s name, current mailing and e-mail address, telephone listing, major field of study, classification, dates of attendance, anticipated date/term of graduation and expected award(s), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and honors and degrees awarded.

Another exception allows disclosure of information about the student to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel in an educational role and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the governing board of the University; or a student serving on an official committee, or in a volunteer capacity, such as a peer mentor or member of a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. Such officials have legitimate educational interests when they need to review a student’s educational records to fulfill their responsibilities to the University.  As an example of a company with whom Colorado State University has contracted, the University works with the National Student Clearinghouse which provides a Current Enrollment Verification Certificate and/or degree verification to students and vendors indicating whether the students are enrolled for part-time or full-time status at CSU.

Furthermore, the University discloses students’ educational records without consent, upon request, to officials of other schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.


1. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Resource: Colorado State University General Catalog 2007-2008, pg. 37-38. Refer to the Office of Vice President for Student Affairs, 201 Administration, for further information or questions.