Records and Privacy

General Information

The rights and responsibilities of students, faculty and administration are clearly set out in two federal acts: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA); and the Federal Student Right to Know Act of 1990.

FERPA assures protection of student data and assures access to individual student data by the individuals for whom it is being kept. With the first billing, the colleges send out an affidavit for parents to execute that attests to the dependence of their son or daughter. Unless, at some subsequent point we receive a written statement to the contrary, then we honor that affidavit during the duration of the student's enrollment. The effect of this affidavit is to allow the colleges to provide information to parents about their dependent children's progress.

The Student Right to Know Act is entirely different. It provides information to students, parents and the general public about such topics as graduation rates and campus crime rates that will enable them to make informed decisions about the colleges. Such information is routinely published in a variety of sources, including the student newspapers and the local and regional press.

Student Right to Information

Saint Benedict's and Saint John's maintain an educational record for each student who is or has been enrolled at the colleges. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (PL 93-380, as amended) the following student rights are covered by the act and afforded to all students of the colleges:

The right to inspect and review information contained in the student's educational records.
The right to challenge the contents of their educational records.
The right to a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory.
The right to submit an explanatory statement for inclusion in the educational record if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory.
The right to prevent disclosure, with certain exception, of personally identifiable information.
The right to secure a copy of the institutional policy.
The right to file complaints with the Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University to comply with the provisions of the act.

Each of these rights, with any limitations or exceptions, is explained in the institutional policy statement, a copy of which may be obtained from the registrar.

Saint Benedict's and Saint John's may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act without the written consent of the student unless the student requests in writing that such information not be disclosed (see below). The items listed below are designated as directory information and may be released for any purpose at the discretion of the colleges unless a request for non-disclosure is on file:

Category I: Name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, class.

Category II: Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors, degree conferred.

Category III: Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors of athletes (height and weight), date and place of birth.

Students may withhold directory information by notifying the registrar, in writing, specifying the categories to be withheld, within 40 calendar days from the first scheduled day of class of each fall semester. The student is responsible for the consequences of withholding information. Regardless of the effect, the colleges assume no liability for honoring a student's request that such information be withheld. It will be assumed that the failure on the part of a student to request the withholding of specific categories of directory information indicates the student's approval of disclosure.

Any questions concerning the student's rights and responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act should be referred to the registrar.

Parent Right to Information

Parents of dependent students are entitled to information on the progress of their sons and daughters. Upon receipt of a request for such information, the registrar will forward the student's grade report to the requesting parent. Dependency is determined by federal Internal Revenue Service criteria.

While respecting the confidentiality of information imparted to advisers and counselors, the colleges assert their right to inform parents of a student's grades or conduct if this seems to be in the best interest of the student and the colleges. Such information will be given in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Rights Reserved by the Colleges

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University do not hold themselves bound to offer any course for which there is insufficient registration and reserve the right to withdraw any course described in this catalog.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University reserve the right to terminate or modify program requirements, content and the sequence of program offerings from term to term for educational reasons which they deem sufficient to warrant such actions.

Further, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University reserve the right to terminate programs from term to term for financial or other reasons which they determine warrant such action. The content, schedule, requirements and means of presentation of courses may be changed at any time by the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University for educational reasons which they determine are sufficient to warrant such action. Programs, services or other activities of the colleges may be terminated at any time due to reasons beyond the control of the colleges including, but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, destruction of premises, labor disturbances, governmental orders, financial insolvency or other reasons or circumstances beyond the control of the colleges.

The course descriptions in this catalog are based upon reasonable projections of faculty and faculty availability and appropriate curriculum considerations. The matters described are subject to change based upon changes in circumstances upon which these projections were based and as deemed necessary by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University to fulfill their respective roles and missions.

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