Columbia University in the City of New York

Privacy Rights (FERPA)

Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Columbia University strictly follows the privacy regulations outlined in the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 which regulates a wide range of privacy related activities including:

  • Management of student records maintained by the University.
  • Regulations regarding who has access to student records.
  • For which purposes access to student records is granted.

The act also:

  • Permits the University to release limited directory information without a student's consent.
  • Guarantees students access to their records, and allows them to restrict such access to others.

Students may restrict access to their academic records, as well as reverse a restriction to their records.

For additional information regarding access to student records, please consult the FERPA policy from University Policies.

Questions about the University's interpretation of the FERPA guidelines should be referred to the University's General Counsel in 412 Low Library.

For more information on FERPA, visit the Department of Education website.