Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly known as FERPA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA regulates the disclosure as well as the rights and responsibilities of students and institutions of higher education with respect to student education records. The law applies to all colleges and universities that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to ensure students have a right of access to their education records and protect those records from disclosure to third parties.

Under FERPA, eligible students have the right to inspect and review their education records maintained by the university. Some information in a student's educational record is defined as directory information and is listed below under Lamar University Directory Information. Directory information may be released to the public without the consent of the student unless the student desires to withhold any or all of the information.

Lamar University has designated the following as Directory Information:

  • Student’s legal name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • University issued e-mail address
  • Major field of study
  • Classification
  • Dates of attendance

  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • Degrees
  • Honors and awards received
  • Last educational agency or institution attended
  • Photographs and class rosters (not the student's class schedule)

Students may block the public disclosure of directory information by contacting the Records Office (Wimberly 112) and signing a Directory Information Hold form. The Directory Hold form and additional information regarding FERPA is available. 

The materials listed below provide general information regarding FERPA: