Academic Rights and Responsibilities/Student Education Records
All student educational records are housed in the Office of the Registrar and other appropriate locations. Blue Mountain Christian University is subject to the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law affords the student certain rights with respect to the student’s education records.
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 Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate.
Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the Registrar decides not to amend as requested, the Registrar will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request and will provide the student with additional information regarding the hearing procedures.
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.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Blue Mountain Christian University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, 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, or collection agency); 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 in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
The University may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Official transcripts of student records are issued by the Office of the Registrar upon request from the student and receipt of the $15 transcript fee (paid by credit card). Transcripts will not be released for any student until all of the student’s accounts are paid in full.
The University may also disclose without the student’s consent “directory information,” unless the student has advised the Registrar in writing at least five days following registration that the student does not wish part or all of the directory information to be made public. Once filed, this instruction becomes a permanent part of the student’s record until the student instructs the University, in writing, to have the request removed.
The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the University to include this type of information in certain University publications, the media, and outside organizations. Blue Mountain Christian University has designated the following as examples of directory information:
Name, sex, mailing address, electronic address, full-time/part-time status, listed telephone number, parents’ names, year in school, date and place of birth, marital status, name of spouse, major and minor fields of study, denominational preference/membership, residence hall or commuter status, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, athletic position and statistics, dates of attendance/graduation, degrees and awards received, anticipated graduation date, names of previous educational institutions attended by the student, class schedules, campus mailbox number, campus dormitory and room number, campus employment, society of which the student is a member, fact of medical injury when essential, other similar information
The University may disclose education records in certain other circumstances, but shall do so only upon the authorization of the Registrar. Complaints and reports of noncompliance should be directed to the Registrar.
Please note that no financial information from the Business Office can be released over the telephone. The student must request financial information in person.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the office which administers FERPA and to which complaints are to be sent: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.-4605.
Accuracy of Student Records
(Policy 2.42)
It is the policy of Blue Mountain Christian University to maintain accurate records of all students during their tenure at the institution. The University is committed to maintain records in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Maintenance of Student Records
Blue Mountain Christian University views student records as a “snapshot in time” of the student during matriculation at BMCU. Upon graduation the records are considered “closed” and will be maintained by the University as such in accordance with federal and state law and regulations.
Academic records are maintained in the Office of the Registrar. Other records will be maintained in the Office of Student Life.
Eligible students and or parents have the right to request that BMCU correct errors which they believe to be inaccurate and corrections will be made in accordance with FERPA. Requests for corrections to records must be in writing and must contain information to verify the identity of the person requesting the correction. Requests for corrections to academic records should be directed to the University registrar. Requests for corrections to disciplinary and other records shall be directed to the Office of Student Life.
Inaccuracies in Student Records
Corrections of inaccuracies to records will be made upon request, accompanied by appropriate documentation to the satisfaction of Blue Mountain Christian University that the records were in error during the time period covered by the records. Records will not be changed to reflect changes that have occurred subsequent to the student’s attendance at Blue Mountain Christian University if such records were accurate at the time of attendance. This policy also applies to requests for change of name on diplomas.
Students denied changes in their record may appeal that decision in accordance with the University appeals process and will be given all rights afforded to them by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).