The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also requires that St. George’s University, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from students’ education records; however St. George’s University may disclose appropriately designated directory information without written consent, unless students have advised the School to the contrary in accordance with School procedures.

The primary purpose of directory information is to allow St. George’s University to include this type of information from students’ education records in certain School publications.

Examples include:

  • School catalogue or bulletin, showing a student’s role in a school-related activity;
  • Annual yearbook;
  • Honor roll or other recognition lists;
  • Graduation and other ceremony programs; and
  • Sports activity sheets, such as basketball, showing weight and height of team

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy, if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without students’ prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

If students do not want St. George’s University to disclose directory information from their education records without prior written consent, students must notify the Office of the University Registrar each calendar year.

St. George’s University has designated the following information as directory information:

  • Student’s name
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Address
  • Telephone listing
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • Electronic mail address
  • Photograph
  • Degrees, honors, and awards received
  • Date and place of birth
  • Major field of study
  • Dates of attendance
  • Grade level
  • Most recent educational agency or institution attended
  • Residency match placement