Student Rights Under FERPA

Education Records are all records from which a student can be personally identified that are directly related to a student and maintained in any medium by a particular office, faculty advisor, instructor, or any other academic or administrative unit at LTS. A student has the right to review and inspect those records by contacting the Registrar in writing. Within five business days, the Registrar will respond with a time that the student may review the records. Education records are not limited to those records and data stored or maintained by the Registrar’s Office. Education records are not sole possession records (those held in the sole possession of the maker of the record and not revealed to anyone other than the maker’s substitute); law enforcement records; employment records of students, except graduate-assistants; medical records; alumni/ae records.

Personally identifiable information includes but is not limited to: the student’s name; the address of the student; a personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number or I.D. number; or other information that would make the student’s identity easily traceable.

Directory Information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. As defined in the Act, such information may be released without prior consent unless a student has specifically waived those rights. At LTS, “directory information” includes: student’s full name, address, telephone number and LTS e-mail address; degree program; dates of attendance; photograph; degrees and awards received; participation in recognized activities. A student who does not wish to have this information disclosed or published must notify the Registrar in writing. The student may submit a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Information form for this purpose. The request for non-disclosure becomes effective when received by the registrar and is not retroactive; it will remain in effect until it is rescinded in writing to the Registrar. In summary, “Directory Information” is information that the school may disclose, but it is not required to do so. All other (non-directory) information contained in a student’s record (e.g., grades, social security numbers, academic actions, etc.) is strictly confidential and is not disclosed without the student’s written consent.

Students and former students of Lancaster Theological Seminary are covered under the regulations of FERPA. Individuals who did not complete the application process, or those who applied but were not enrolled, are not covered by the Act.

Students and former students of Lancaster Theological Seminary are covered under the regulations of FERPA. Individuals who did not complete the application process, or those who applied but were not enrolled, are not covered by the Act.

Directory Information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. As defined in the Act, such information may be released without prior consent unless a student has specifically waived those rights. At LTS, “directory information” includes: student’s full name, address, telephone number and LTS e-mail address; degree program; dates of attendance; photograph; degrees and awards received; participation in recognized activities. A student who does not wish to have this information disclosed or published must notify the Registrar in writing. The student may submit a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Information form for this purpose. The request for non-disclosure becomes effective when received by the registrar and is not retroactive; it will remain in effect until it is rescinded in writing to the Registrar. In summary, “Directory Information” is information that the school may disclose, but it is not required to do so. All other (non-directory) information contained in a student’s record (e.g., grades, social security numbers, academic actions, etc.) is strictly confidential and is not disclosed without the student’s written consent.

Directory Information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. As defined in the Act, such information may be released without prior consent unless a student has specifically waived those rights. At LTS, “directory information” includes: student’s full name, address, telephone number and LTS e-mail address; degree program; dates of attendance; photograph; degrees and awards received; participation in recognized activities. A student who does not wish to have this information disclosed or published must notify the Registrar in writing. The student may submit a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Information form for this purpose. The request for non-disclosure becomes effective when received by the registrar and is not retroactive; it will remain in effect until it is rescinded in writing to the Registrar. In summary, “Directory Information” is information that the school may disclose, but it is not required to do so. All other (non-directory) information contained in a student’s record (e.g., grades, social security numbers, academic actions, etc.) is strictly confidential and is not disclosed without the student’s written consent.

School Officials are employees, officials and representatives of Lancaster Theological Seminary deemed to have a legitimate educational interest in students’ records. Individuals determined to be LTS “School Officials” may include:

• Representatives of accrediting organizations and organizations doing certain studies for or on behalf of the Seminary
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student to determine eligibility, amount or conditions of financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of aid
• Other schools, upon request, in which a student is seeking or intending to enroll
• Certain government officials of the U.S. Department of Education; the Comptroller General of the U.S.; state and local educational authorities in connection with an audit; authorized representatives of the U.S. Attorney General for law enforcement purposes or state or federally supported education programs; Veterans Administration officials
• Individuals who have obtained a judicial order or subpoena
• Seminary officials who need to know concerning disciplinary action taken against a student
• Appropriate parties who need to know in cases of health and safety emergencies when necessary to protect the health and safety of the student and/or others
• Those requesting directory information about a student provided the student has not submitted a written request to have his or her information withheld

Legitimate Educational Interest is determined if the disclosure of the information is appropriate in order for the school official to fulfill his or her professional responsibility in service to the Seminary. FERPA allows for the release of both “directory” and “non-directory” student information to “school officials” who have a legitimate educational interest without obtaining the student’s consent

Contact Teresa Benneian, Registrar and Loan Counselor, for further information, to make an appointment to review and inspect your education record or to receive this information in print form.