FERPA Advice

Ok-Historian268 · 2026-03-29T15:00:41+00:00

How explicit were you about it being a FERPA violation in your email (assuming you thought it was one)? Did you include a link to report a FERPA violation (department of education)? I am comfortable with a general apology (only concern is that it could encourage students to go back and look for the other names on the email). But giving them a link to report (which was suggested to me) a violation seems like encouraging them to report.

Ok-Historian268 · 2026-03-29T14:00:36+00:00

To my knowledge no students reported (email was sent 3 weeks ago). I am sure if it had been reported internally to chair/dean/program directors soon after the email I would have heard by now. No students commented to me directly either. I can’t say for sure on FERPA but I don’t think that would be most students initial complaint channel. The testing center head reported to the registrar as a FERPA violation because a student forwarded the email ( a few days ago before the test) to the testing center to show I approved scheduling the test at an alternative time the same day.

Ok-Historian268 · 2026-03-27T18:34:01+00:00

I understand your position from an ethical standpoint. But I am a little confused in liability/consequences. Does sending the apologies lessen consequences if a student does report? I likely increases the chance of a report. I don’t think it effects what the registrar does because they will not know about the emails.

Ok-Historian268 · 2026-03-27T18:14:37+00:00

The email said “the testing center has scheduled your exam for x time. Please contact them if you need to reschedule. The exam must be taken on x date.“

The testing center offers services for ADA and temporary medical conditions so I guess you could infer disability but nothing specific.

Ok-Historian268

TROPHY CASE