Student Records
University of the People preserves all records of enrolled UoPeople students, including all personal contact information. All student records are maintained permanently at the University, including the degree or certificate that was granted and the date on which that degree or certificate was granted, the courses and units on which the certificate or degree was based, the grades earned by the student in each of those courses, and all transcripts.
For a period of no less than five years (six years for students in Wisconsin), the following institutional records are also maintained by University of the People:
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- The educational programs offered by UoPeople and the curriculum for each
- The names and addresses of the members of UoPeople’s faculty and records of the educational qualifications of each member of the faculty
- Any other institutional records required by state or federal law
Privacy of Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading information through informal and formal hearings. While the FERPA Act does not apply to University of the People since it is not a federally funded institution, University of the People nonetheless strives to meet the Act’s provisions to the greatest extent possible.
The University will not disclose a student’s education record without obtaining the student’s prior written consent, except in certain instances where a student’s educational records may be disclosed to school administrators with a legitimate educational interest. These individuals may include a person whom the University has employed, contracted or partnered with, and with whom it has an official relationship that justifies access to the educational record (or part thereof) for educational, administrative and research functions, and/or to perform his/her designated job, including faculty, administrative, clerical and professional employees, and other individuals who manage student records.
Students may inspect and review their own records pertaining to academic standing and financial information at any time. Students may also seek amendment of inaccurate or misleading information in their educational records.
University of the People depends on the accuracy of the records submitted by its students. False information on an application as well as any act to intentionally mislead or misinform instructional personnel or administrators is grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the University. Students seeking access or amendment of their educational records should contact the Office of Student Services.
Directory Information
Under FERPA, sections of a student’s educational record are defined as Directory Information and are considered public information; these may be shared without a student’s consent unless a student has blocked disclosure of his or her directory information.
Directory Information at UoPeople includes a student’s name, address (local, permanent or email), telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, enrollment status (undergraduate or graduate, full or part-time) and dates of attendance at UoPeople, degrees and honors received, expected graduation date, previous educational institutions attended, and photographs.
Currently enrolled students may block disclosure of their Directory Information by completing a form in the Self-Services PortalSelf-Services Portal. This request is permanent until a request is otherwise submitted in the Self-Services PortalSelf-Services Portal to unblock the disclosure of Directory Information. Students who are no longer studying at UoPeople, and whose Directory Information was not restricted during their last term of study, cannot restrict the release of the Directory Information until re-enrolled at UoPeople.
UoPeople has the right to share student information with administrators and university officials who have legitimate educational interests or as directed by a senior institutional officer in an emergency if the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
For the full policy please go to the Policies Page on the University’s website