* DATA PRIVACY
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minnesota Statute (Chapter 13) are federal and state laws that provide for the disclosure and privacy of student educational records. In accordance with these and other applicable laws, Anoka-Ramsey Community College has adopted the following policy:
Definitions
-A student is an individual who has applied for enrollment, or who is currently enrolled, or has been formerly enrolled at ARCC. All students have the same rights regarding their educational data irrespective of age.
-Educational records are those records directly related to a student and maintained (originated and/or updateable) by ARCC. Records in the sole possession of the maker and not accessible or revealed to any other individual, and destroyed at the end of the school year, are not deemed educational records.
-A school official is a person employed by ARCC in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position; a person or company with whom ARCC has contracted; a person serving on the Board of Trustees or in the Office of the Chancellor; or a person assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
-Directory information is information not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed to the public.
Student Rights under FERPA and MGDPA
-A student has a right to inspect and review his or her educational records. Requests should be made in writing to the custodial office of such records (Records Office for registration records, Financial Aid Office for financial aid records, etc.) ARCC shall provide access to view educational records within ten days of the student's request. A student requesting a copy of his or her educational records will be assessed the cost according to the college fee rates.
-A student has a right to consent to disclosures of information, which identify him or her personally, except to the extent that these disclosures are allowed without student consent under state and federal law.
-A student has the right to request that the custodial office correct educational records, which he or she believes to be inaccurate or misleading. If the custodial office decides not to amend the record, the student then has the right to petition the amendment of educational records to the Data Privacy Official. If after the petition review, ARCC still decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement within the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
Note: The right to challenge a grade does not apply under this policy unless the grade assigned was allegedly inaccurately recorded.