FERPA & Educational Records Release

 

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

In order to obtain access to your student's private educational records, your student can visit Student Resources and Support Services (Lavin-Bernick Center, Suite G02) to complete a FERPA release form. Completion of this form will allow appropriate administrators to discuss information about your student. The student must specify which records or situations can be discussed with parents, as approval does not assume blank authority.

Parental Notification Policy

The university hopes that students will keep their parents informed of their lives at Tulane. Pursuant to the Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act (1974), which protects against the disclosure of a student's educational record absent the written consent of the student, the Office of Student Conduct does not routinely contact parents when their student has violated University rules. We will notify parents when their student is involved in the conduct process in the following cases: 

  • If a student is under the age of 21 and has been found responsible for an alcohol violation;
  • If a student has been found responsible for a drug violation;
  • If a student is placed on deferred suspension, suspension, or expulsion;
  • If a student is found to have engaged in conduct involving violence, sexual misconduct, or a violation of our weapons policy;
  • If a student's health or safety is at risk.

Except where the student's health or safety is at risk, the Office of Student Conduct generally will notify the student's parents after your student has been found responsible.  This notification generally is made by letter and includes a copy of the student's outcome letter in that communication.

In cases where the student's health or safety is at risk, the Office of Student Conduct or another Tulane staff member generally will notify the student's emergency contact by telephone.

We are more than happy to speak with you regarding your student's conduct history.  Before doing so, however, we will have to verify that your child has signed the FERPA release form. We also encourage you to speak with your student concerning the incident before reaching out to our office.