The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) states that facilities that maintain student educational records have the discretion to classify some information as “directory information” and to release only that information upon request except for the exceptions covered under the Act. This includes use by College officials with a legitimate need to know, outside agencies that the college works with (e.g., IPEDS reporting), and for military recruiting covered by the Solomon Amendment.

GCC’s directory information consists of the following student information:

• Name
• Major
• Dates of attendance
• Graduation date(s)
• Honors conferred
• Town/state

Aside from this, and with the exception of the Solomon Amendment, written consent must be obtained from the student prior to the release of data that is not identified as directory information. Information such as a student’s full address, class attendance record, class schedule, grades and financial status are included in the non-disclosure category.

Additionally, it is the policy of GCC that emergency messages (received by a College employee by phone or in person) are delivered to students by GCC campus safety personnel only. At no time is the location of a student while on campus to be disclosed upon inquiry.