The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
1. The right to
inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of
the day the college receives a request for access.
Students should
submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or
appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s)
they wish to inspect. The college 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 college
official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall
advise the student of the correct official to whom the request was
submitted, that official shall 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 that the
student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the
college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or
misleading. They should write the college official responsible for
the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want
changed, and specify why it is inaccurate to misleading.
If
the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the
student, the college will notify the student of the decision and
advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the
request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing
procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right
to a hearing.
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 consent.
One
exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to
school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school
official is a person employed by the college in an administrative,
supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position
(including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person
or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney,
auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the board of
trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a
disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school
official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has
a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an
education record in order to fulfill his or her professional
responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by East Central College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA: Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Directory Information:
Information identified by East Central College may be released without the student's consent and includes the following without limitation:
Student name
Parent's name
Address
Telephone number
Date and place of birth
Major field
of study
Participation in officially recognized activities and
sports
Weight and height of members of athletic teams
Dates
of attendance Degrees and awards received
Most recent previous
school attended
E-mail address
Photograph
Full- or
part-time status
A student may request that any or all directory information not be released without prior consent. Requests to withhold release should be received by the Registrar's office. If such a request is made, the college cannot: verify that the student attends the institution (which includes verification of enrollment for insurance purposes); include the student on President or Dean's List; or include the student's name in a graduation program.
Records Not Accessible - The Right of Privacy Act defines certain records which are outside the definition of "education records" and therefore, not open to inspection to students and their parents. These include without limitation: 1) financial records of student's parents or information contained therein; 2) confidential letters and statements of recommendations maintained prior to January 1, 1975; 3) records of instructional, supervisory and administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and which are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a substitute; 4) records and documents of the college security department that are maintained solely for security purposes and are not available to persons other than the personnel of that department; 5) records of the college made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other recognized professional or paraprofessional, which are made, maintained or used only in connection with the protection or treatment of the student and are not available to anyone other than persons providing such treatment except that such records can be personally reviewed by an appropriate professional of the student's choice; 6) records of a person who is employed by East Central College unless and only to the extent that such records relate to that person's status as a student and are not available for any other purpose; 7) records for which the student has signed a "waiver of access," for example, confidential recommendations relating to admission or receipt of an honor.
Destruction of Records - The college may destroy any records if not precluded by law, provided that if a student has requested access to such records prior to the decision to destroy the record, the college shall supply the student with a copy of such record before destruction.
Graduation Requirements - Specific graduation requirements will be set up by the college faculty in accordance with the requirements of the State of Missouri and appropriate accrediting agencies.
Transferring Credit to another College/University - East Central College offers an Associate of Arts degree which will prepare you for a major at a four-year college or university. Early in your educational program, it is important to study the catalog from your intended transfer institution, decide on a major field of study, and select courses appropriate to that curriculum. The degree plan worksheet for your program of study, available in the counseling area on the second floor of the Administration Building, is an invaluable tool in selecting courses. Developmental (pre-college level) or vocational courses do not usually transfer and will not be counted as a part of your AA degree. Likewise, if you change your mind about your major or transfer institution, you must accept the risk that some of your credits may not transfer.
You are responsible for the transfer of your credits, but if you follow the degree plan outlined for the Associate of Arts Degree, you should have no difficulty when you transfer to another school. However, we recommend three important steps to transferring credit:
Meet with your advisor each semester before you register for classes.
Follow the degree plan worksheet (curriculum) according to your major.
Obtain catalog(s) from the school(s) to which you are planning to transfer. Review the curriculum required for your major at that school, and bring the catalog to all meetings with your advisor. By doing so, we can detect any complications before they occur or call the school about questions.
Students with Disabilities - East Central College will make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. For example, note-taking, tutoring, and test reading are offered through the Learning Center. Students with disabilities should contact the ACCESS Counselor as early as possible, preferably before the beginning of each semester, to discuss accommodations.
I.D. Cards - All students are issued an identification card within the first two weeks of each semester. Students are responsible for obtaining the card at the Learning Center. The card is used to check-out library materials, admit students to student activities and events, and prove status for other student discounts.
Parking and Handicapped Parking - Students may park in any of the designated student lots on campus. Only students with physical disabilities and with valid permanent or temporary state tags may park in designated handicapped parking slots.
Final Exams Week - A schedule for final exams is printed in each semester's course schedule. A designated time is assigned for the exam which may or may not be the same as the regular class meeting time. Please refer any questions to your instructor or the Registration Desk.
Voter Registration - U.S. Citizens who are 18 years and older, whose permanent residence is in Missouri, may register to vote at the Registration Desk.