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Students may have access to their own educational records during regular office hours by contacting the Registrar’s Office either in person or through the mail by requesting a copy of the record. Another person may not see or be given access to a student’s educational records unless written permission has been given by the student. Faculty and staff members of the University have access to student educational records in the performance of their regular duties. Students may have official copies of the McMurry University transcripts mailed to other institutions or they may obtain copies for their own use. The “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974” provides that a university may release directory-type information about students. The information released may include the following items: the student’s name, addresses, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height if a member of an athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the last educational institution attended. Each fall semester, McMurry University publishes a student directory which contains the following information: name, local address and phone number, permanent address and phone number, and classification. The Act states that a student has the right to withhold this information from the public and other students. A form to withhold this information is available in the Registrar’s Office. Unless this form is completed before the last day to add a class for each semester, the data about a student will be released as public information. In principle and practice, electronic student records and information are subject to the same conditions of confidentiality and access as paper records. Care is taken to authorize access to the McMurry University computer system and networks only to those representatives of the university who have legitimate educational interest. Access to the computer records of students is closely guarded. Under no circumstances should computer records be downloaded into other personal computer applications, or transferred to other parties through the use of computer technology, unless authorized by the Office of the Registrar. |
