Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and makes public announcement of the law. FERPA was designed to protect the confidentiality of student records, guarantee student access to certain records, regulate disclosure of information from student files, provide opportunities for students to correct or amend records and add explanatory statements, and provide opportunities for students to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education alleging infractions of the law.

The confidentiality of student educational records is protected by FERPA. However, the university is permitted to provide directory information without the student`s consent unless he or she requests in writing that such information be kept confidential. Rutgers defines directory information as name, campus mailing address and telephone number, campus email address, permanent address and telephone number, school of attendance, major field of study, class year, dates of attendance, current credit load, credit hours earned, degree(s) received, and date(s) of degree(s).

The most common ways by which the university releases student directory information are:

through the verifications division of the Office of the Registrar or similar offices that have access to student records. (The office is called upon to verify that a student is enrolled at the university by potential employers and credit agencies, among others.)

through the campus-wide information system known as INFO on the Rutgers University Computer Network (RUNet), which is accessible via the Internet.

Students may request that directory information be kept confidential by obtaining a form for this purpose from their dean's office or from the registrar's office. Students should be aware that requesting confidentiality of directory information makes this information unavailable to all, including prospective employers, credit agencies, and others to whom you may want this information known or verified. Thus, it is recommended that students carefully consider whether personal privacy concerns outweigh the possible inconvenience and detriments of having directory information withheld. Subsequent to filing the request, directory information remains confidential while a student is enrolled or until a written request that this restriction be lifted is received from the student by the registrar's office. As with all confidential records, Rutgers will release a student's confidential directory information only with the student's written consent or if otherwise required by law.

The university uses a student's Social Security number as a student identification number. While this number is not released as directory information and its confidentiality is protected in the same manner as are other educational records as defined by FERPA, the university offers students the opportunity to acquire a substitute student number. Students wishing to have a substitute number assigned should fill out the appropriate forms in the registrar's office. The university recommends that those receiving financial aid not acquire a substitute number because the Social Security number is key to student identification by state and federal financial aid agencies. Thus, it is recommended that a substitute number be obtained only if student privacy concerns outweigh the possibility of a serious disruption in financial aid.

Further information on the law and Rutgers' policy and procedures on compliance with FERPA is available from the director of compliance and student policy concerns in the Division of Student Affairs (732/932-7312).