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FERPA Information for Faculty & Staff

Legitimate Educational Interest

An institution may disclose personally identifiable information without the student's written consent to "school officials" whom the institution has determined to have a "legitimate educational interest."

Legitimate educational Interests is defined as interests that are essential to the general process of higher education prescribed by the body of policy adopted by the governing board.

Institutional Obligation

An institution is not obligated to release directory information to anyone. FERPA states that an institution MAY release information, but there is no obligation to do so.

Crisis or Emergencies

If non-directory information is needed to resolve a crisis or emergency situation, an education institution may release that information if the institution determines that the information is "necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals." Factors to be considered or questions to be asked in making a decision to release such information in these situations are:

1. the severity of the threat to the health or safety of those involved;
2. the need for the information;
3. the time required to deal with the emergency;
4. the ability of the parties to whom the information is to be given to deal with the emergency.