Educational Records and Student Privacy

As your student adjusts to the academic challenges at Cornell, families will be adjusting to a new set of procedures for reporting grades. When your child was in primary and secondary school, you were probably used to seeing report cards and class schedules. Many families are alarmed to learn that the university’s policy on student education records, together with federal law, guarantees each student the right to keep his or her records private, including professors’ names, course schedules and grade reports.

The educational records of all matriculated students at Cornell, regardless of student age, are protected under both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Cornell University Access to Student Information, Policy 4.5. Under these policies, matriculated Cornell students are treated as legal adults, with the responsibilities and privileges inherent in that status. They are expected to make decisions on coursework, classes, social life, and their personal well-being. They are also expected to learn from, and take responsibility for, the consequences of their decisions.

Although Cornell is committed to the principle of freedom with responsibility, and sees it as an important step to preparing students for responsible adulthood, we also acknowledge that the transformation does not happen overnight. This process can be problematic and confusing for families and students alike. Many families who still provide most of their child’s financial support feel that they have a right to know what academic progress their child is making. Many students have grown up with their parents as active partners in their academic lives and are surprised to learn that the university does not automatically include parents when distributing grade reports and other educational records.

Under FERPA, the following pieces of information are considered public information. This means that the following information can be released without the student’s permission:

• Name
• Home Address
• Local Address
• Local Telephone
• Listing Dates of Attendance at Cornell University
• Major Field of Study College
• Previous Educational Agency or Institution Attended
• Participation on Officially Recognized Activities
• Degrees Earned
• Awards Received

All other information regarding a student is considered private and can be released only with the permission of the student. This includes courses in which the student is enrolled, grades received, academic standing information, financial aid information, disciplinary action information, etc...

We urge you to discuss your feelings on these issues with your student, and to maintain an open dialogue throughout your student’s Cornell career. Family support is essential to students’ success and we hope that early discussion will encourage ongoing communication and support.