Academic Divisions

I had a mother/father contact me regarding their son’s/daughter’s grade in my class.  Should I respond to her/him?

In accordance with the federal law called “FERPA” (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), you are not permitted to discuss any academic information with anyone but the student, unless the student gives written permission to the Admissions and Records office for you to do so.  The best course of action is to inform the parent of this politely (telling him/her that this is to protect the privacy of our students) and to ask him/her to have the student get in contact with you to discuss his or her grade.  Another option is to request the student come see you and tell him/her that they can bring their parent also, if he/she so chooses.  If he/she does bring the parent, be sure to structure the discussion so you and the student are having the conversation, with the parent having an opportunity to ask questions at the end.  For more specific information, please review the Quick Facts About FERPA or the FERPA Tips documents.