What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, protects the privacy of students’ educational records and personal information. This federal law spells out the rights of students and the responsibilities of educational institutions.

'Health and Safety' Exception

Purdue may deem it necessary due to the health and safety of a student, or other individuals, to disclose information from education records without a student’s consent. If Purdue determines there is “articulable and significant threat” to the health and safety of the student or others, information from education records can be released “to any person whose knowledge of the situation is necessary to protect” the health and safety of the student or others.

For more on FERPA regulations see https://www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/records/viiia4/.

Adapted from “A Quick Reference Guide to Understanding and Applying FERPA“ under Information For Faculty and Staff at Purdue University.