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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