The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal privacy law that governs the student education records. Although FERPA applies to all levels of education, UAMS is governed by post-secondary/higher education requirements within the law. FERPA provides UAMS students with specific rights related to their educational records and establishes guidelines for the protection of those records. Detailed information related to FERPA requirements is available in UAMS Academic Affairs Policy 2.1.2 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
UAMS ensures FERPA compliance through training and communications with students, faculty and staff. More training and resources are listed in the “Training and Resources” section below.
Directory Information
FERPA defines certain student information as “Directory Information,” and UAMS may disclose this information without student consent unless the student has elected to restrict its release by updating privacy settings in Workday. Students may manage privacy settings directly in Workday by selecting “Manage My Privacy Settings” in the Workday search bar. A quick reference guide is also available by typing “Learning: Manage My Privacy Settings” into the search bar. Students may select to restrict or allow release of directory information through this process.
Per UAMS Academic Affairs Policy 2.1.2, directory informationincludes but is not limited to, now or in the future, the following student data elements:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- UAMS electronic mail (email) address
- Official badge photograph
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Grade level
- Year in program
- Enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, full-time, part-time, etc.)
- Dates of Attendance
- Degrees, honors and awards received
- Date of graduation
- Most recent educational agency or institution attended
Annual Student Update
UAMS will provide an annual notification to current students regarding its FERPA policy and instructions on how to restrict the disclosure of directory information. The annual notification is sent by email from the Office of the University Registrar to the student’s UAMS email address. UAMS will include this FERPA policy in the Academic Catalog, and Colleges will include the UAMS FERPA Policy in Student Handbooks. A student’s acknowledgment of her/his responsibility to the information contained in the catalog or handbook also serves as notice of UAMS’ FERPA policies.
Training and Resources
UAMS provides training and FERPA resources to colleges and departments annually through individualized ad hoc trainings, departmental communications and periodic updates. Departments may request FERPA training and support by contacting the UAMS FERPA Compliance Officer (contact information below). A general FERPA Guide for Faculty and Staff provides an overview of the law most relevant to UAMS Faculty and Staff.
Contact Information
UAMS has identified the University Registrar as the primary campus FERPA compliance officer (FCO). Questions or concerns related to FERPA policy application, compliance and resources should be directed to the FCO:
Clinton D. Everhart, Ed.D.
Assistant Provost for Enrollment Services and University Registrar
UAMS FERPA Compliance Officer
Office of the University Registrar
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham, Slot 767
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-686-5113 (phone)
501-526-3220 (fax)
everhart@uams.edu (e-mail)
https://registrar.uams.edu