FERPA’s primary function
FERPA’s primary function is to preserve the privacy and accuracy of student information and to provide various rights to students regarding the information universities maintain about them. The information that is maintained and protected is a student’s education record.
Education records are any records that NAU keeps that are directly related to a student (“personally identifiable”). The records may be stored in any media, including, but not limited to
- On paper
- In a photo
- On microfiche or microfilm
- On tape
- On computer information systems such as PeopleSoft and NAU’s Data Warehouse
- Any other electronic media, such as email
If in doubt, assume that the information is an education record and is, therefore, protected by the law.