Records Privacy Quiz | Office of the Registrar

The University of Oregon is committed to the privacy and security of our students. The Student Records Policy outlines the policies established by the university to maintain the confidentiality of students' education records. The University of Oregon Student Records Policy complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which is a set of Federal regulations that protect the privacy of student education records. The following 12 questions are designed to help you understand how FERPA relates to the University of Oregon.

Answer each of the following 12 questions by selecting True or False. An explanation of the correct answer is provided after you answer each question. This quiz is provided as a training tool, so correct answers are not as important as understanding the explanation. If you have any questions, contact Kathleen Birkholz (Assistant Registrar for Finance & Administration) by email or by phone (541-346-3184).

	A copy of a student's class schedule may be mailed to a third party at the request of the student's parent.
		True False
	Explanation: A student's class schedule may only be released to a third party with the specific written, signed authorization of the student.

	In order to post grades on their office doors or websites, instructors must assign randomly generated identifiers to students in their classes and use those in the postings.
		True False
	Explanation: Personally identifiable student information which is not classified as Directory Information under the Student Records Policy - including grades and UO ID numbers - is not to be made accessible to the public, including classmates, without specific written, signed consent of the student.

	A police officer conducting a criminal investigation always has the right to access student education records.
		True False
	Explanation: A law enforcement official must present one of the following in order to have access to education records: a specific written, signed release from the student or a valid subpoena or judicial order. In the case of the valid subpoena or judicial order, the University Registrar will notify the student before releasing the information unless the subpoena or judicial order appropriately specifies nondisclosure.

	At the University of Oregon, Directory Information restrictions remain in force for former students who have stopped attending.
		True False
	Explanation: Directory restrictions remain in force until removed by the student even after attendance has ceased.

	All subpoenas for student education records should be forwarded to the designated Custodian of Student Records.
		True False
	Explanation: The Custodian of Student Records, the University Registrar, is required to respond to subpoenas and to maintain appropriate documentation if education records are released in response to a subpoena.

	Student participation on the Club Sports Ultimate Frisbee team is releasable information.
		True False
	Explanation: Participation in recognized university activities is releasable unless a student has filed a Directory Information Restriction form.

	Any university faculty member has the right to view the education records of any UO student.
		True False
	Explanation: A faculty member or any other university official must demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in the information in order to gain access.

	Student education records are defined as those student records on file with the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Academic Advising and the Graduate School.
		True False
	Explanation: Education records are those records directly related to a student maintained by the university or by a party acting for the university. Such records can and do reside in all university departments.

	A transcript of a student's academic record may be sent to the student's parents without the student's consent if the student was claimed as a dependent on the parents' last tax return.
		True False
	Explanation: FERPA allows, but does not require, schools to recognize dependency for tax purposes as an exception to parental access to education records. The University of Oregon Student Records Policy adheres to the basic FERPA regulation that, upon enrollment at an institution of higher education, all education record access rights are conferred upon the student.

	Student e-mail addresses are releasable information.
		True False
	Explanation: E-mail addresses are releasable unless the student has filed a Directory Information Restriction form.

	Other than directory information (unless restricted), parents may not have access to student education records without the specific written consent of the student.
		True False
	Explanation: Once they are enrolled at the university, students control parental access to their records.

	When responding to an inquiry about a student with a directory restriction, use of the term "student" is not permitted.
		True False
	Explanation: The use of the term "student" implies enrollment, which is information covered by a directory restriction. The appropriate response is "I have no information for an individual by that name."