Student Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:

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

   Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the college official does not maintain the records to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request an amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes is inaccurate.

   Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college 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 disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education 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 the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic research, or support position; a trustee or outside contractor such as an attorney or auditor acting as an agent for the college; 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, volunteers and other non-employees performing institutional services and functions as school officials with legitimate education interests. A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. The college specifically includes the Wyoming Community College Commission and the CWC Foundation as school officials. Upon request, the college discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll; to accrediting agencies; to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; in connection with financial aid for which a student has applied; in connection with a health and safety emergency; to military recruiters; to the Wyoming Community College Commission; and to the CWC Foundation. The Privacy Act specifically states that parents and other third parties may not have access to a student’s educational records, unless the student gives written permission. The college reserves the right to make certain exceptions to the above for federal and state agencies that are gathering information for statistical purposes.

4. The Vice President for Student Affairs may contact parents, legal guardians, or law enforcement as deemed necessary where there is a danger to a student or to others, or when a student is involved in alcohol and/or drug violations on campus.
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures, by Central Wyoming College, 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 Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4065

Students’ consent to release of Directory of Information defaults to ‘Yes’ upon admission to Central Wyoming College. This permission is in effect until changed with a completed Directory Information Change of Consent form submitted to the CWC Student Records Office. Note that student athletes and students participating in officially recognized activities will need to consent to Directory Information due to the nature of their official functions.

Directory information includes all data the college may give to the public regarding students, unless specifically requested not to do so by the student. Directory information includes: name (preferred name), address, telephone number, photograph, hometown and state, CWC student e-mail address, program of study, degrees, certificates or awards, dates of attendance, full-time or part-time enrollment status, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and height and weight of members of athletic teams. The preceding information applies to students currently enrolled or former students.

Please note that on occasion due to extenuating circumstances a student from one course section may attend another course section or lab. This is an exception to standard practice and will be done when necessary in order to achieve the educational objective of the student.