Release of Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that requires Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), with certain exceptions, to obtain a student’s written consent prior to disclosing personally identifiable information from their education records. FERPA also states the college may release information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy without the student’s written consent, unless he or she has requested a confidential hold of this “Directory Information.”
KVCC designates the following as directory information: the student’s name, address, telephone numbers, and date of birth; major field of study and class level; dates of enrollment; full or part time status; degrees, awards, honors conferred and dates received; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; and previous educational institutions or agencies attended.
The primary purpose of directory information is to allow KVCC to include this type of information from your education records in certain school publications (e.g., academic honors or other recognition lists; graduation programs; and sports activity sheets). It also allows the disclosure of information to outside organizations without a student’s prior written consent in response to requests for individual records. Outside organizations generally include, but are not limited to, businesses with which the student has established a relationship such as insurance companies, banks and employers.
In addition to school publications, directory information may also be disclosed in the form of lists to outside organizations without a student’s prior written consent. However, KVCC will only do so, at its discretion, with regard to requests from other educational institutions seeking to provide information to KVCC students regarding educational opportunities. KVCC will not release directory information to outside organizations seeking to use such information for non-educational, commercial purposes.
If a student wishes that the college not release his or her directory information, he/she must inform the college in writing by completing a Confidential Hold form in the Admissions, Registration and Records Office. Upon a student’s admission to KVCC, directory information becomes available for release, but a student may request at any time after being admitted to the College that his or her directory information be kept confidential.
Note: After the first week of classes in a semester, the college may release directory information regarding enrolled students to third parties. Additionally, the college may release directory information regarding graduates to third parties two months after the end of the semester. Students must provide timely requests to keep their directory information confidential in light of these time frames.
KVCC will not consider releasing confidential information, either verbally or in writing, about applicants or students, unless it is expressly allowed within the act (e.g., directory information), or the student has signed an authorization for release of information.
Documents provided to KVCC from an outside organization or individual are considered the property of KVCC, are intended for the college’s use only, and will not be released to the student or anyone else unless compelled to do so by law or court order.
Students who have questions may contact the Admissions, Registration and Records Office by email at arr@kvcc.edu, by calling 269.488.4281, or visiting Room 9140 on the Texas Township Campus.