Alabama Fire College Annual Notification to Students
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
1. Student Access to their Educational Records
Students have the right to review records. Students and former students are requested to complete a "Request to Review Certification Records" form in the Certification Office. Because of various circumstances, the Alabama Fire College may delay, to a maximum of 45 days, release of the records for review. The college is not required to provide access to records of applicants for admission who are denied acceptance or, if accepted, do not attend.
2. Challenge of the Contents of Education Records
Students may challenge information in their educational records that they believe to be incorrect, inaccurate, or inappropriate. This challenge must be in writing and must be submitted to the Certification Officer who is responsible for the certification records. The Certification Officer and appropriate Deputy Director must decide within a reasonable period whether corrective action will be taken, and the Certification Officer must provide written notification to the student of the corrective action that has been approved. Students who are not provided full relief sought by their challenge must be referred to the Assistant Director who will inform them of their right to a formal hearing.
3. Disclosure of Education Record Information
The Alabama Fire College will obtain written consent from students before disclosing any personally identifiable information from their education records. Such written consent must: (a) specify the records to be released (b) state the purpose of the disclosure, (c) identify the party or class of parties to whom disclosure may be made, and (d) be signed and dated by the student. FERPA states that certain information from student records may be classified as directory information:
Name
Address
Telephone listing
Major field of study
Dates of attendance and current status
Degrees, certifications, and awards received
The information will be released to inquiring individuals or agencies unless the student signs a "Do Not Release Directory Information" form in the Certification Office. THIS FORM MUST BE RESUBMITTED ANNUALLY.
4. File a Complaint
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by state universities to comply with the requirements of FERPA at the following address:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
