Connecting the dots…: information sharing by post-secondary educational institutions under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) |
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| Authors: | Richard Graham Richard Hall W Gerry Gilmer |
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| Institution: | 1. Helzberg School of Management , Rockhurst University , 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110-2508, USA;2. Department of Communication , Florida State University , 3103 University Center, Building C, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2664, USA |
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| Abstract: | Misunderstanding of privacy laws and regulations impedes appropriate information sharing by post-secondary educational institutions under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (‘FERPA’). Post-Virginia Tech regulatory amendments allow institutions to ‘connect the dots’ regarding a student's behavior and to be proactive in problem resolution. The article encourages university officials to re-examine FERPA, to eliminate restrictive information sharing barriers not required by the law or regulations, to educate faculty and staff on the scope of student information dissemination and offers a clear and concise policy and process to help fill this crucial gap in campus crisis action planning documents. |
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| Keywords: | FERPA privacy student information |
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