Annual FERPA Notification

To All Prairie View A&M University Students

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (PL93-380), commonly referred to as FERPA, provides that all records pertaining to a student that are maintained by the University must be open to inspection by the student and may not be made available to any other person without the written authorization of the student. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. A “student” is defined as a person who has registered and paid for one or more courses and who remains enrolled through the official date of record for that term.

The act also allows the release of “directory information” – defined by each institution but limited to information that might have traditionally been published in a directory of students.

Directory information includes:

  • Name
  • Current address
  • Telephone number(s)
  • Email Address(es)
  • Program of study (major)
  • Dates of attendance
  • Photographs
  • Full-time or part-time enrollment status
  • Degrees and honor awards received and dates granted
  • Previous educational institution(s) attended
  • Eligibility and participation in officially recognized activities
  • Weight/height of members of athletic teams

During New Student Orientation, students are informed of their right to withhold the release of directory information. A student may request that the university stop withholding the release of directory information at any time.  Without consent of the student, FERPA permits the release of student information to the following:

  • To officials at an institution in which the student seeks to enroll;
  • To comply with a court order or subpoena;
  • To university officials who have legitimate educational interest in specific student information;
  • In connection with a health or safety emergency, if necessary, to protect the student and others;
  • In strict compliance with the requirements of FERPA or other applicable law.

Otherwise, non-directory information is never released to any outside party without the student’s official authorization. These non-directory items include but are not limited to:

  • Grade point average (GPA)
  • Academic standing
  • Grades or transcripts
  • Matters of student conduct

Students may complete a FERPA Student Information Release and or block the release of Directory Information by logging into PV Place/Panther Tracks, selecting the FERPA Tab and completing the required questions.

Questions concerning FERPA may be directed to Registrar@pvamu.edu or (936) 261-1000, Option 2.