FERPA Policy

Notice to all Current and Former Students
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Annual notice to students
The following notice and information is given by Oakton College, District Number 535 to advise its students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“The Act”).

The Act established the right of students to inspect and review their education records; provides that personally identifiable information will not, with certain exception, be disclosed without the student’s written permission; provides for guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal or formal hearings; grants students the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures of the College to comply with The Act; and makes provisions for notice to the students concerning their rights.

Oakton College has adopted policies and procedures implementing The Act, which are contained in the Oakton College Student Handbook (PDF) (891 KB), copies of which are available in the Office of Student Life.

A student who wishes to review his or her education records must complete the appropriate form and submit it to the Registrar. The student will be notified in writing of a date and time he or she may come to review the records.

The following student data is hereby designed as “Directory Information” and as such may be disclosed or released by the College of any purpose and at its discretion:

  • Student Name
  • College-issued email address
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Participation in officially recognized activities/sports
  • Degrees/awards received
  • Prior educational institutions attended
  • Course of study
  • Hometown (defined as residency where one was born or grew up)

To have all of the “Directory Information” withheld, the student must give written notice, in person, or if by mail, by certified mail return receipt requested and addressed to the Enrollment Center.

Initial notice or changes may be made at anytime; however, notification must be done in writing and to the Registrar following the directions above.

Copies of The Act, the HEW regulations, Oakton College policies and procedures, the Oakton College Student Handbook; and forms for use in implementing The Act are available upon request in the Enrollment Center at the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses.