The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Student Confidentiality (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records whereby parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records, and the right to request that a school correct records, and that schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record.
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code §552.001 et seq., are respectively a federal and a state law that provide for the review and disclosure of student educational records.
This law prohibits The Student Service Centers (in person or over the phone) at UTRGV from releasing any specific student education information without the student’s written permission. Parents, guardians, spouses, etc., cannot have access to the student’s education records, including account information unless the student has granted authorization. To grant authorization, complete the Consent to Release Student Information form.
Directory Information
At its discretion, the University may release directory information which includes:
- Name, Address, Telephone Number
- Date and Place of Birth
- Major Field of Study
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Dates of Attendance
- Most recent previous educational institution attended
- Classification
- Degrees, Honors and Awards Received
- Date of Graduation
- Physical Factors (height and weight) of athletes
- Photographs
- University Email Address
Students may have any or all directory information withheld by notifying the University in writing. Request for nondisclosure will be honored by the University until such time that the student grants permission, in writing, to release the information. A Directory Information Release Form is available online.