Student Right to Information

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:

1. The right to inspect and review information contained in the student's educational records.
2. The right to challenge the contents of their educational records.
3. The right to a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory.
4. The right to submit an explanatory statement for inclusion in the educational record if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory.
5. The right to prevent disclosure, with certain exception, of personally identifiable information.
6. The right to secure a copy of the institutional policy.
7. The right to file complaints with the Minnesota 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

Although information regarding students' dorm and room numbers is designated as Directory Information, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University generally do not provide such information publicly without the individual student's consent. One exception is disclosure to governmental entities to verify the residency of a student. Similarly, student email addresses are designated as Directory Information but are not generally provided except for the limited purpose of being disclosed to authorized users of the College's and University's internal network.

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.