What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended (also sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment), is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the obligations of the institution regarding the release of educational records and the access provided to these records. Generally the law provides that, with some exceptions, no information, applications, forms, letters, records, transcripts, etc. may be released, whether orally or in writing, without prior written consent, dated and signed by the student, specifying the records to be released, the reasons for release and to whom the records are to be released. We encourage you to learn more at the FERPA tutorial.
FERPA assigns certain privacy rights regarding their educational records to students who are 18 years of age or older OR are enrolled is post-secondary institutions. In general, this means that students need to give their permission to release information to parents. At the University of Baltimore, the following pieces of information are considered “directory,” or public, information. Directory information can be released to anyone, including parents, without the student’s permission. Students do have the right, however, to prevent the release of even directory information. If students have exercised their right not to have directory information released, the University may not release it to anyone without the student’s permission. Directory information includes the following:
- Student's name,
- Student’s home city and state,
- Degree sought and time,
- Major/minor fields of study,
- College of major and year (freshman, sophomore, etc.),
- Enrollment status (full-time/part-time) including credit hours,
- Dates of attendance,
- Degrees, awards and honors conferred,
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports,
- The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student,
- Fraternity/sorority and honor societies
All other information regarding the student is considered private and can be released only with the permission of the students. This included information about courses in which the student is enrolled, grades received, locations of courses, information about academic standing, financial aid information, student account information, etc.
Grades, progress reports and exams
Things such as progress reports, scores and grades on papers and exams and class grades are all examples of personally identifiable information that make up part of a student’s educational record. This information is protected under FERPA and parents may not have access unless the student has provided written authorization that specifically identifies what information may be released to the parent(s). Grades are not mailed to students but are available online on the MyUB, the university’s web information system. The system is password protected so only the student is able to access their own grades and other information.
Permission to Release Educational Records Information forms
Students may contact the Records (Academic Center, 126) or the Dean of Students Office (Academic Center, 112) to obtain a form requesting release of information to parents. We encourage you to have a discussion with your student about what information you would like to share during the course of the academic year and encourage him or her, with your support to be responsible for taking care of matters at school.
Enrollment Verifications
Enrollment verifications for employers and/or insurance companies can be obtained in the Records Office, Academic Center 126. The student may pick up the completed verification form or have it mailed to the parent, employer or insurance company.
Requesting Transcripts
Students’ transcripts are considered private under FERPA. Therefore, only the student can request that we send transcripts to another person. UB requires a signature to release a transcript. Transcripts can be obtained by using the “transcript request’ form available at the Records Office website ( or by letter. Alternatively, the student may fax the transcript request form or a letter to us at 410.837.4820 or mail it to the Records Office, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
Emergencies/Crisis Situations
In non-directory information is needed to resolve a crisis or emergency situation, an educational institution may release that information if the institution determines that the information is “necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals.” In the case of an emergency, contact the Public Safety Office at 410.837.5520 or the Dean of Students at 410.837.4755.
Contact for questions or concerns
General questions may be directed to the Registrar, the Dean of Students. Comments or suggestions should be addressed to the Dean of Students Office, studentaffairs@ubalt.edu, or 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
Additional Resources
Records Office
www.ubalt.edu/records
Family Policy Compliance Office
www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html
www.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/index.html