Release of Student Records

In compliance with the “Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)”, TSTC Waco gives notice that the following directory information will be released upon request and with the approval of the appropriate administrator, unless the student desires to withhold it:  student’s name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, major field of study, classification of coursework level, enrollment status, extracurricular participation in officially recognized activities, achievement and academic awards or honors, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographic image, and most recent previous institution attended.

Release of additional student record information, not defined as “directory information”, must be specifically authorized by the student (form available in the Admissions & Records Office).

Students may prohibit the release of directory information by completing the appropriate form available in the Admissions & Records Office during registration or within the first eleven class days of each semester.  This request remains in effect until revoked, in writing, by the student.

Minors (under 18 years of age) attending TSTC have the same right to privacy of their records as adult students.

Student academic records information, other than directory information, may be released WITHOUT CONSENT of the student to the following parties:

1)      an individual employed by TSTC in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement and health staff personnel);

2)      an individual appointed to the TSTC Board of Regents;

3)      an individual or company employed by or under contract to TSTC to perform a special task such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agency;

4)      a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting an other school official in performing his or her tasks;

5)      parents of an eligible student who claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes (form available in Admissions & Records Office);

6)      in order to comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena;

7)      appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency;

8)      an alleged victim of any crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense; the disclosure may only include the final results of any institutional disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of whether the institution concluded a violation was committed;

9)      the general public if the institution determines as a result of disciplinary hearing that the student committed a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense in violation of the institution’s rules or policy or state or federal law, as authorized by state law;

10)  parents of a student under the age of 21 regarding a university determination that the student violated federal, state or local law or institutional policy governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Students have the right to inspect and review their academic record.  Students may petition TSTC to amend or correct any part of their academic record which is believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the students.  When the college decides it will not amend or correct a student’s record, the student has a right to a hearing to present evidence that the record is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student. 

Contact the Admissions & Records Office at (254) 867-2361 for more information regarding FERPA and student records.  The campus Registrar is the FERPA official at TSTC Waco.

Balancing Student Privacy and School Safety: A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Colleges and Universities (pdf)