Student Records & Privacy Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students the following rights with respect to their education records:

1. The right to inspect and review one's education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
   • Procedure: The student submits a written request, identifying the records he or she wishes to inspect, to the director of Admissions and Records. The director notifies the student when and where the records will be available for the student's inspection. If the records are not maintained by the Admissions and Records Office, the director will advise the student of the appropriate college office or official and how to request access to the records.
2. The right to request an amendment to one's education records if the student believes the records are inaccurate or misleading.
   • Procedure: The student submits a written request to the college official responsible for the records, clearly identifying the part of the record to be changed and an explanation of why the student believes the record is inaccurate or misleading. Admissions and Records staff members can assist students in identifying the appropriate person to receive the request. The college notifies the student whether or not the record will be changed. If the college denies the request to amend the records, the student will be advised of his or her right to a hearing on the request for amendment.
3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
   • One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as the National Student Loan Clearinghouse, an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
   • A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by MiraCosta College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints should be mailed to the following office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920

MCCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 5040, Administrative Procedure 5045