Module 1: College Advising
Academic Support Center - Undeclared Majors

Confidentiality

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The ASC Advisors are responsible for being aware of and maintaining confidentiality of the students’ information accessible to them. Staff members ensure the confidentiality of all privileged communications and educational records considered confidential. They inform all parties of the nature and/or limits of confidentiality. Staff members share information only in accordance with institutional policies and relevant statutes when given the informed consent of the student.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. However, these rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

To learn about FERPA through the MTSU Records Department's tutorial go to www.mtsu.edu/~records/Ferpa/ferpa.html.

Partners In Education

In the Fall of 2005, MTSU began a pilot program, Partners In Education. Students will be given the option to sign a consent form that would permit the college to release private information to their parent; information that is currently protected under the FERPA Act. The form would be voluntary and students who sign can change their minds at any time.

Academic Support Center - Undeclared	page 4 of 41