WHAT IS FERPA AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
This federal law protects the privacy of your educational records—including the file with your name on it that we keep at the Weinberg Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising. FERPA, among other protections, restricts who can view your academic record and file, which may include advising notes. FERPA also restricts whom your College Adviser can speak with regarding information contained in your records.
WHO GETS TO KNOW?
You have the right to review the contents of your file. Certain other individuals can see your file, and can be consulted regarding issues raised during your advising meeting or over email with your adviser. These are individuals with a “legitimate educational interest,” and may include such people as the WCAS Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Deans, and other official College advisers.
WHO CAN'T KNOW?
No one else can see your file or be consulted regarding specific issues raised during your advising meeting or over email with your adviser—UNLESS you have first given your written permission (or unless you are kept anonymous). This includes your parents or guardian and other faculty. To give permission you must fill out a written form. You can download the consent form from the Registrar's website or get a copy at the Weinberg Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising.
WAIT! THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS!—
—when circumstances create a need to know. For example, if your College Adviser has reason to believe that you may be in physical danger, or may hurt yourself or someone else; or if you disclose an incident of sexual harassment. Your College Adviser then may have an obligation to notify others at Northwestern (e.g., CAPS, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office, the Dean of Student Affairs). If you are looking for a more confidential conversation on campus, you can call one of the following:
- CAPS 847-491-2151
- The Women's Center 847-491-7360
- University Chaplain 847-491-7256 (Members of any or no particular religious tradition are welcome.)
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list.
Your College Adviser would be happy to discuss FERPA with you further
and answer any questions you may have.
Call 847-491-8916 to make an appointment.
This document is not intended to alter Northwestern's official FERPA compliance policy.
