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Student Rights & Responsibilities

Photo I.D. is required to view and/or receive copies of your educational records.

Confidentiality of Records

Read the FERPA Guidelines for Confidentiality of Student Information (pdf). The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is designed to protect the privacy of a student's educational records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. Information about Seattle Central Colleges is collected, maintained and used to meet the colleges educational objectives. Students are protected against improper disclosure of their records. These rights begin with the first day of class and extend to all former students.

Student Rights

  1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. Students should submit written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place that the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  2. The right to request amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when he or she is notified of a right to a hearing.
  3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure with consent. One exception which permits disclosures without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. School officials have a legitimate educational interest if they need to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, national student loan clearinghouse, legal counsel, or collection agency); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
  4. Upon request, the college discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
  5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office administering FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202–4605.

Chapter 132F–121 WAC

Student Activities, Rights and Discipline

Directory Information

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges define Student Directory Information, (information that can be released without student’s consent):

  • Student’s name
  • Major field of study
  • Enrollment status
  • Dates of attendance
  • Participation in recognized sports
  • Degree or certificate earned
  • Term degree or certificate awarded
  • Honors

Students may request that the college not release directory information by notifying the Registrar's office and submitting a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form (pdf) in person and with picture ID to the Registration office in room BE1104. Directory information cannot include social security numbers, race/ethnicity, nationality or gender. For more information regarding students’ rights, students should contact Registration at 206.934.6918.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the directory–information–only restrictions are: Judicial subpoena of records, upon condition that the college makes a reasonable effort to notify the student in advance of release of records. Emergency situations, if knowledge of personal information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other person(s).

Additional Information

For more information regarding student rights, students should contact the Registrar's Office on each campus.