Policy Owner

Contact Person:

Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, tel. (202) 319-5311

University Registrar, tel. (202) 319-5311

I. Introduction

The Catholic University of America intends to maintain full compliance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment), 20 U.S.C. 1232 et seq. (1975) which guarantees the confidentiality of student records and gives to the individual student the right to examine official records maintained for him or her. The University maintains a Student Records Policy to comply with FERPA.

This policy on records and transcripts contains a portion of the Student Records Policy and additional information on transcripts. The complete Student Records Policy should be consulted for other questions about student records and for further information about transcripts.

II. Directory Information

The following data is considered to be directory information and may be given to an inquirer, either in person, by mail or by telephone, and may be otherwise made public: name of student, address (both local, including e-mail address and permanent), dates of registered attendance, enrollment status (e.g. full-time or part-time), school or division of enrollment, major field of study, nature and dates of degrees and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams.

The policy that such information will be made generally available will be communicated to presently-enrolled students through the publication of these guidelines. An individual student currently enrolled may request that such directory information not be disclosed by completing the nondisclosure form available on the Enrollment Services website and providing the completed form directly to the Office of Enrollment Services.

By default, only a student's campus e-mail address will be displayed on the University directory web page. If a student wishes to suppress their listing from the directory they may contact the University Technology Services office to request removal of their listing.

A student who alleges that the University has failed to comply with the requirements of FERPA should notify the University of the alleged violation. In cases of violations the University will take corrective action. The student also has the right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office of the Department of Education.

III. Name of Record

A student's name of record includes the first name, middle initial or full middle name, and the family name. Nicknames may not be used. The University will change the name of a currently enrolled student on its official records upon receipt of a request in writing accompanied by evidence of the legal basis for the change. A record of the previous name will be maintained, but all official documents will be released under the new name.

The University is under no obligation to record a change of name for students who are not currently enrolled, including those who have graduated, and normally will not do so without a court order.

V. Transcripts

Transcripts of records issued by the Registrar represent the complete, unabridged academic record of the student at this University. Requests for the issuance of transcripts are submitted via Cardinal Students, the University's student information system.

A complete official transcript will not be released to or for a student whose account with the University is not settled in full, subject to any applicable federal law or regulation.