University Of Southern Nevada
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
Disclosure of Directory Information Page
Student Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information
In accordance with the University of Southern Nevada (USN) policy and the U.S. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), USN vigorously protects the privacy of student education records. USN does not release private records of individual students, such as grades and class schedules, without prior written consent of the student except if required by law. FERPA does designate certain information related to students as “directory information” and gives USN the right to disclose such information to anyone inquiring, without a student’s permission, unless the student specifically requests in writing that all such information not be made public without his or her written consent. USN defines “directory information” as the following: name, current address, telephone number, student email address, dates of attendance, class, full or part-time enrollment status, major field of study, honors and awards. No other student information is released to non-University personnel without the student’s written permission, unless required by law.
As permitted under federal law, the sole exception to the above practice is the release of directory information considered to be public in nature and not generally deemed to be an invasion of privacy. USN uses directory information for educational purposes, such as to mail notices to students about changes in policies, services or opportunities. Directory information may also be provided to the alumni association, foundations, or other individuals for purposes that may be beneficial to students. USN exercises discretion in responding to requests for directory information and may or may not provide such information when requested, depending on the intended purpose of the request as provided by the requestor.
Students have the right to request that USN not release directory information about them.
Students are advised to consider carefully the consequences of any decision made regarding the withholding of any category of directory information, as any future requests for such information from non-institutional persons or organizations will be refused. Some of the effects of this decision to request confidential status include, but are not limited to, friends or relatives trying to reach a student will not be able to do so through USN; information on a student’s enrollment status will be suppressed, so if a loan company, prospective employer, family members, etc. inquire about a student, they will be informed that the University does not have information that it can release related to the student. USN will honor the student’s request to withhold all categories of information designated by USN as directory information but will not assume responsibility for contacting the student for subsequent permission to release them.
If students wish to withhold the disclosure of all the items of directory information, they are required to complete the “Student request to Prevent disclosure of Directory Information” form and submit it to the appropriate Dean’s or Program Director’s Office. This form must be received by the appropriate office within the first two weeks of class. If this form is not received by that date, all directory information will be disclosed for the remainder of the academic year.