Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Union Institute & University has a long-standing commitment to the concern for and protection of learners’ rights and privacy of information. Union Institute & University complies with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. Learners have the right to inspect, review, and challenge the accuracy of their education records.

Release of Information

Directory information may be released for any purpose at the discretion of the institution. UI&I has designated the following items to be Directory Information: name, address, email, telephone number, dates of attendance, academic program/center, class standing/hours earned, majors and/or concentrations, and/or areas of specialization, Faculty Advisor, enrollment status, previous institution(s) attended, awards, honors, and degree(s) conferred (including dates).

If the learner does not wish to have this information released for any purpose, including, for
example, the learner directory and press releases, he or she must inform the registrar’s office in writing at the beginning of each term. If the correspondence is not received in the registrar's office at the time of registration, the above information will be disclosed by the institution for the remainder of the academic year.

Right to Review Learner Records

Once enrolled, learners have the right to review their educational records except those excluded by the law (medical and counseling records, law enforcement records). To review learner records, contact the Registrar's Office.

It is the policy of this institution that the types of learner records referred to in this statement may be reviewed by any qualified learner. The University must comply to the learner's request within 45 days. Copies of any portion of the record will be provided at cost, except transcripts of the permanent academic record, for which the University's transcript policy will apply.

Disclosure of Education Records

All learner records will be treated with confidentiality. University faculty and staff have access to student records on an educational need-to-know basis. The office responsible for any particular learner record will be responsible for ensuring that such confidentiality is maintained. Exceptions exist for FERPA authorized disclosures without consent. Contact the Registrar for a complete list of these exceptions.

Contact the Registrar’s Office for a complete description of learner’s rights and obligations under FERPA. Learners have the right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by UI&U to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Written complaints should be directed to The Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5920.