One of the most significant changes a parent or family member experiences in sending their student to college is the difference in privacy standards.
Q. Where can I find out more information about FERPA?
A. FERPA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department maintains a FERPA Website (with links to FERPA regulations) at:http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
Q. What records does FERPA cover?
A. The privacy FERPA gives to students is very broad. With limited exceptions, the FERPA regulations give privacy protection to all students' education records. Education records are defined as those records that are directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency. Examples of student records entitled to FERPA privacy are grade reports, transcripts, and disciplinary files.
Q. How can I make sure the university-related bills are sent to me?
A. Your YSU student gets to chose through our SID (Student Identification Display) System to what address all of their campus mail is sent. To insure university-related bills are sent home, make sure the address on the SID system is the desired address.
Q. Will I be notified if my son or daughter is placed on academic probation?
A. No. Information about grades and academic standing is sent directly to students. You can, of course, ask your student to keep you informed about his academic performance.
Q. Will I be notified if my son or daughter is hurt or in danger?
A. If we learn of an emergency involving one of our students, we will attempt to notify the student's parents, in accordance with our emergency notification policy and procedures. Hospitals and police agencies will also follow their own notification protocols.
Q. Will I be informed if my son or daughter is treated at Student Health Services or is seeing a counselor at Career and Counseling Services?
A. Not normally. In addition to FERPA, state laws and professional ethical codes preclude the University from routinely sharing student medical information and counseling records with third parties, including parents, without the student's consent. There are important policy reasons supporting these confidentiality requirements, including the proven therapeutic benefits associated with encouraging students to talk openly and candidly with a physician or counselor-without fear their conversations will be reported to others. Confidentiality, of course, is not absolute. It can be broken (and parents notified, as appropriate) if staff members in the Health or Counseling Centers determine that a student poses an imminent danger to self, or to an identifiable third party.
Q. How will I know if my son or daughter is subject to University disciplinary action?
A. Federal law mostly prohibits YSU staff from releasing most information about a student's involvement in the disciplinary action process without the student's written permission unless the violation involves underage drinking violations. Other exceptions include the release of outcomes for disciplinary proceedings involving any crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense.
Center for Student Progress • Kilcawley West • Phone: 330.941.3538 • Fax: 330.941.1455
© 2011 Youngstown State University • One University Plaza • Youngstown, Ohio 44555
Admissions: 330.941.2000 • Graduate Admissions: 330.941.3091 • General Information: 330.941.3000
AllofE Solutions