Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review their educational records within forty-five days of the day CCA receives a request for access
• The right to request the amendment of educational records that the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent
• The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by CCA to comply with the requirements of FERPA

A student who wishes to inspect his or her educational records should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies which records the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the Registrar does not maintain the records, the Registrar shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

A student who wishes to amend a record that the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record the student wants changed and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If CCA decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, it will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided when the student is notified of the right to a hearing.

The student's right to consent to disclosures of personal information does not apply in the case of disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by CCA in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel); a person or company with whom CCA 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. School officials have a legitimate educational interest if they need to review educational records in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

Students may authorize the release of their educational records to other parties by filing a Waiver of Confidentiality form with the Student Records Office. Forms must be renewed yearly. In the absence of a signed release form, it is the college's policy not to release information to any party other than the student or the school officials listed above.

Students wishing to file a complaint with the US Department of Education should write to:

Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory Information

Information designated as "directory information" can be released at CCA's discretion unless the student specifically requests that the information be withheld. Students who wish to prevent disclosure of this information must notify the Registrar in writing. CCA has designated the following as directory information:

• Name
• CCA email address
• Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Dates of CCA enrollment, including the fact of enrollment or non-enrollment for upcoming semesters
• Degree and awards received
• Date of degree conferral
• Major field(s) of study
• Date and place of birth
• Existence or non-existence of local address on file
• Participation in organizations and activities approved by the college