FERPA for Faculty

Susan A. Blair, Chief Privacy Officer

Last year the Faculty Senate Infrastructure Committee asked the Privacy Office to develop a short faculty-specific training about privacy requirements for student records. An abbreviated version of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Basics, required web-based training for all who access University of Florida electronic student records, is now available through HR Training & Development. This shorter training module is intended for faculty members who are familiar with student record privacy issues, but may need to refresh their knowledge of specific requirements.

Faculty members should be aware that even though the module is shorter, because student record laws and rules are complex, the information in the module is more condensed.  Participants who find they are not familiar with the terms used in the training are encouraged to complete the full FERPA Basics training module.

Compliance with FERPA as well as Florida law concerning student and applicant records is an important legal obligation of all employees of the University of Florida that deal with such records.  Faculty members can enroll in and complete FERPA for Faculty by logging in to myUFL, and then choosing Main Menu>My Self Service > Training & Development.  Search for course number PRV803.

Writing FERPA compliant Letters of Reference, a companion powerpoint presentation, is available on the privacy website at http://privacy.ufl.edu/studentfaculty.html. See “FERPA & Letters of Recommendation”. A release form for Letters of Reference is also located at this same web address.

If you have questions about FERPA issues, please contact the Privacy Office at (352) 273-1212 or 866-876-4472. Questions about training access may be directed to UF Training and Organizational Development at (352) 273-1762.