Student Records. Student Record Privacy Statement: Annual Notification Under FERPA

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1 Student Records It is the policy of the Medical College to protect information contained in student records from unauthorized disclosure and to comply with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and regulations thereunder. The policy extends to students the right to inspect and review their education records and provides students the right to request that their record be amended if the student believes that the record contains inaccurate or misleading information or if it violates the student s privacy rights. If a student believes the Medical College has failed to comply with the requirements of FERPA, a student may file a complaint with the United States Department of Education. Student Record Privacy Statement: Annual Notification Under FERPA The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Further details may be found in Cornell Policy 4.5 Access to Student Information. These rights include: 1. The right to inspect and review the student s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. 2. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent: a. Disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic (including emeritus faculty), research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, service provider, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. b. Upon request, to officials of another school in which a student seeks or

2 intends to enroll. c. To parents or legal guardians of dependent students as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code. In general, the university does not make education records available to the parents of a student. However, where the university believes that it is in a dependent student s best interest, information from the student s education records may, at the university s discretion, be released to the parents or legal guardians of such a dependent student. Such disclosure generally will be limited to information about a student s official status at the university, but parents or legal guardians of a dependent student may also be notified upon the authorization of the dean of the student s college, or the vice president for student and academic services, or the dean of students, or their designees in the following cases: when a student has voluntarily withdrawn from the university or has been required by the university to withdraw; when a student has been placed on academic warning; when the student s academic good standing or promotion is at issue; when a student engages in alcohol- or drug-related behavior that violates Cornell policies; when a student has been placed on disciplinary probation or restriction. in exceptional cases when a student otherwise engages in behavior calling into question the appropriateness of the student s continued enrollment in the university. Unless otherwise indicated in writing by the student at the time of registration, or thereafter, the university will presume that a full-time undergraduate student is a dependent as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Undergraduate students who are not financially dependent and do not wish to permit their parents or legal guardian access to their education records should advise the Office of the University Registrar in writing and provide evidence of financial independence. Graduate and professional students are not assumed to be financially dependent upon their parents or legal guardian for these purposes. d. Disclosure of directory information. Cornell University has defined directory information to include the following: name, local and cell telephone numbers, address, photograph, major field of study and college attended, academic level, dates of attendance, enrollment status, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height (of members of athletic teams), and any degrees earned and awards received. Directory information may be released unless the student requests that this information not be released by contacting the Registrar Clare Rooney at Weill Cornell Medical College 1300 York Avenue, Room C-118 New York, NY (phone) (fax)[ Students may rescind their no-release request at any time on Student Center.

3 2. The right to request the amendment of the student s education record that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the Office of the University Registrar to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. 3. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Cornell University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC The statement is may be found at load/vol4_5.pdf. Covered Records Education records may be released in person or in writing to an inquirer, and only with the written and signed consent of the student, except when FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent as indicated below. This information will not be released or disclosed except with a student's signed, written consent, or as provided under the exceptions herein: Grades and academic standing Evaluations Financial aid information Undergraduate record and MCAT score Social Security number Exceptions include disclosures:

4 of directory information ; to other school officials; in a health or safety emergency (see below); to parents in certain situations; in response to subpoenas; to officials at another school to which a Cornell student has applied; or to certain federal, state and local government representatives; in connection with financial aid; to organizations conducting studies for educational agencies or institutions; to accrediting organizations; or of certain student disciplinary records. Directory Information This information about each student is considered public directory information, and except as provided herein, may be released or disclosed without a student's consent: Name Most recent previous educational institution attended Major fields of study Degrees and awards received Honor society memberships Extracurricular activities Dates of attendance Local address and telephone number However, a student may elect to have his/her directory information withheld by completing and submitting to the Registrar the Public Directory Information Non- Disclosure Statement available in the Office of Academic Affairs. The statement must be

5 submitted to the Registrar within ten days of the start of the academic calendar (fall semester). Faculty and Staff Access Faculty and staff members are deemed to have a legitimate need for privileged information contained in a student's education record when such information is required: for purposes of evaluations or recommendations; or for purposes of any internal or external action or proceedings affecting the student or the institution with respect to the student, including proceedings to amend or correct an education record. Custodians of the records and members of their immediate staffs have right of access at all times. Faculty and staff members are defined as all members of the Medical College faculty, the executive and administrative officers of the University and the Medical College, including from the Office of University Counsel, and members of their professional staffs, and outside professionals working on a matter with any of the named categories of Medical College employees. Release of Records Anyone who releases education records must maintain the name of the party making the request, any additional party to whom it may be re-released, and the legitimate interest the party had in requesting or obtaining the information. A student may inspect this record of requests. Records do not need to be kept of disclosures: of directory information; to the student; to other individuals within Cornell having a legitimate educational interest in the information; or in response to a subpoena. Student Inspection and Review Education Records A student may inspect and review his or her education records after making a written request. The Medical College may refuse to permit a student to inspect the following education records:

6 Records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel which are the in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute. Financial records of a student s parents Letters of recommendation placed in the student s education record prior to January 1, 1975 or with respect to which a student has waived right of access. Education Records connected with an application to attend the Medical School if that application was denied or the applicant never attended the Medical School. Portions of education records that contain information about other students. The Medical College reserves the right to refuse to permit a student to inspect records excluded from the FERPA definition of education records, including medical and police records. However, with respect to medical records, a student may have a physician or other appropriate professional review the record. Process for Inspecting Records and Amendment of Records A request by a student to review and inspect the records and information relating directly to him or her shall be in writing, addressed to the custodian of records, signed by the student and thereafter retained in the record folder. Requests for inspection will be honored as soon as practicable, but in no event later than forty-five days from the date of receipt of the request. A student may inspect records only in the presence of a designated administrator. Students may obtain copies of material in their education record, other than the transcript and permanent record card, by paying a per page fee. All such copies shall bear a conspicuous legend that the copy is not an official document. Transcripts and record cards may not be copied because of the possibility of misuse. A student may request that his or her record be amended on the grounds that the information contained therein is inaccurate, misleading, inappropriate, or in violation of his or her right of privacy. Such custodian must decide whether to amend the record as required within a reasonable amount of time. If the custodian or maker of the record refuses to make the requested change, then, such custodian shall inform the student of the decision and of the student s right to a hearing. Upon request of the student, the Senior Associate Dean (Education) will promptly appoint a member of the faculty or administrative staff not having a direct interest in the matter to investigate the matter and hold a hearing. Any such hearing will be held upon five (5) days written notice to the student and those persons called to testify; and, will afford the student a full opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues. A student, at his or her own expense, may be accompanied or represented by an attorney or an advisor.

7 After conclusion of the investigation and hearing, the faculty or staff member conducting the same shall submit a written report and recommendation to the Senior Associate Dean (Education), based solely on the evidence presented. The Senior Associate Dean (Education) will thereafter notify the student in writing as to whether or not the record will be amended. If the record is not to be amended, the student shall have the opportunity to place in the record a written statement commenting on the information sought to be corrected and/or setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision not to correct the file. If the record is to be amended, the Senior Associate Dean (Education) shall instruct that the record be amended accordingly and inform the student of the amendment in writing. Custody and Location of Records Student education records are maintained in the following offices and requests for inspection should be addressed to those offices: General records Departmental records Financial records including disciplinary records, are maintained in the Office of Academic Affairs and the Graduate School Office maintained in the Office of the Chairman of each academic department maintained in the Office of Student Accounting Demographic Statistics Demographic statistics about the student body of the Medical College are available from the Cornell University Factbook (Office of Institutional Research and Planning), at