Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
30
ACADEMIC POLICY AND INFORMATION
Students not completing all requirements and obligations at the time of the spring term
commencement will be mailed their diplomas at the time of the next May commencement
after their degree conferral date.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
The Right to Privacy
The privacy of student records is protected under the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The Registrar has the institutional responsibility for
interpreting both the Act and the rules and regulations issued by the Department of
Education to enforce this Act. Under FERPA, students have the right to see their
education records and the right to request a change if there is an error in any record.
FERPA addresses two types of information: directory information and non-directory
information.
Directory information includes the student’s name, address, e-mail address, telephone
listing, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most
recent previous educational agency or institution attended, and participation in officially
recognized activities and sports. A student’s directory information is usually provided to
anyone who requests it, including persons outside the College. A student may withhold
his or her directory information by notifying the Office of Academic Records in writing.
A request to withhold directory information remains in effect as long as the student
continues to be enrolled, or until the student files a written request with the Office of
Academic Records to discontinue the withholding. Each student is responsible for
keeping the College informed of his or her correct mailing address, both school and
home. Any change in address should be updated by the student through the address
change function on TheSIS. Parent address change information should be submitted to
the Office of Academic Records using the change of address form located on the Office
of Academic Records home page.
Non-directory information makes up the remainder of the student’s education record. The
education record includes, but is not limited to, academic, disciplinary, financial aid,
health, student account, and other information directly related to a student’s enrollment at
Birmingham-Southern College. Students may give permission to allow their education
record to be disclosed to a designated individual(s) by signing the
FERPA Release Form -
Student Consent for Access to Education Records
. The FERPA Release Form is available
on the Office of Academic Records home page. FERPA also allows a student’s academic
record to be shared without the student’s direct consent with parents or guardians who
certify their student is claimed as a dependent for IRS purposes.
The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under
the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational