Federal law (FERPA) and Penn policy provide students a number of privacy rights, including:
Right To Consent To Sharing Student Records — Grades, Financial, Disciplinary
Students have the right to consent to the disclosure of information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The most significant exception to the consent requirement allows sharing with school officials with a “legitimate educational interest.” School officials includes persons employed by Penn, including faculty, staff, part time employees, a person serving on the Board of Trustees, student workers and any other person performing work for Penn under proper authorization. It also includes a person or company with whom Penn has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using Penn employees or officials. There is a “legitimate educational interest” where the information is required or would be helpful in the performance of his or her duties, or in the pursuit of an enterprise sanctioned by the University. Also, upon request, Penn may share student records without consent to officials of another school in which a student enrolls or seeks to enroll.
At Penn, you can consent online to the disclosure of your student education records to certain individuals. To do so, visit Path@Penn https://path.at.upenn.edu/, and click on “Share academic/financial info” under “Profile, privacy & emergency” or you can obtain a paper version of the Student Consent Form. If you choose to use the paper version of the Student Consent Form, please send the form to the campus office that maintains the relevant records.
FERPA “Directory Information” Opt-out
Under FERPA, Penn may release certain information designated as “directory information” to third parties without your consent, unless you have specifically asked Penn not to do so (“opted out”). At Penn, FERPA “directory information” includes a student’s name, addresses, telephone number, enrollment status (full-time, half-time, etc.), date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities (including social and honorary fraternities) and sports, weight and height if a member of an athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and previous educational institutions attended.
If you wish to opt-out of sharing FERPA “directory information” as outlined above, you must complete and submit the FERPA Opt-Out Form to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@upenn.edu.
Right To Review Records
To exercise your right to review your student records, send a written request to the official responsible for the records. Contact your School office if you have questions about who that is. Penn will make records subject to review available within 45 days.
Right To Seek Correction of Records
You also have the right to seek correction of your records. Again, submit in writing the information you wish to have corrected and the reason why to the responsible official. If your request is denied, Penn will notify you of the decision and advise you of the right to a hearing.
Right To File Complaint With Department Of Education
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged noncompliance with federal law by writing to:
The Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605