FERPA Q&A

Q: What applies related to suppression after a student graduates? Are we able to publish our graduate’s information on our website or social media? 

A: Suppression status remains in place after graduation and needs to be honored unless/until the alumni chooses to change it. If you are interested in listing them on the website or other publications, you need to contact the person and ask for their signed/written permission in order to share the information. That goes for confirming their degree awarded as well.

FERPA Q&A

Q: Can college or department staff communicate with students who have a directory or full suppression of their record?

A: It depends. College staff, including those in a marketing department, can send college-related communication to students, including those who have suppressions on their records if the information pertains to their role as a student. University staff who have a "need-to-know" may access student contact information, regardless of suppression level. The information of students with address or full suppressions, however, cannot be given to individuals or organizations outside of the University. Colleges should, of course, be respectful of any student's desire to "opt out" of marketing-type communications.