GENERAL ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION

Student Education Records

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records, subject to certain specific exceptions. A student wishing to review his/her education records should submit to the registrar, academic dean or other appropriate official a written request that identifies the records he/she wishes to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official will advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records. A student may ask the University to amend a record that he/she believes is inaccurate or misleading. The student should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record he/she wants changed and specifying how it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his/her right to a hearing as well as the hearing procedures.

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 the student's consent. One exception is disclosure to other University officials who have been determined to have a legitimate educational interest in the information. A University official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another University official in performing his/her duties. A University official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to perform his/her official duties.

   Upon request, the University also discloses education records without the student's consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. In addition, directory information may be disclosed without a student's consent unless the student has advised the registrar in writing that he/she wishes to restrict access to this information. "Directory Information" includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, e- mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, as well as the weight and height of members of athletic teams.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning the University's alleged failure to comply with FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-5901.

Copies of the complete University policy statement regarding FERPA may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Name Changes
The name carried on the permanent academic record is the name given on the application for admission and should be the complete legal name. The name will be changed by the Registrar to reflect legal name changes upon the submission of a written request and appropriate documentation.