Buckley Amendment
This act was designated to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Office concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the act.
Local policy explains in detail the procedures to be used by the College for compliance with the provisions of the act. Copies of the policy can be obtained in the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration in Pemberton Hall and at www.bucks.edu. An appendix to the policy contains a Directory of Records which lists all education records maintained in regard to students by the College.
Questions concerning FERPA may be directed to the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration. The College has designated the following student information as public or Directory Information. Such information may be disclosed by the College for any purpose.
- Name
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees and award received
- Previous institution(s) attended
- Full-time/part-time status
- Participation in officially recognized sports and activities
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
Such information may be disclosed at the discretion of the College to individuals, agencies, and institutions for purposes relating to activities approved by and associated with Bucks County Community College. Examples of these activities are student elections; recognition of degrees and awards by publishing in newspapers, commencement programs, etc.; recognition of participation in College sports and activities by publishing in newspapers, programs, etc.; and, student insurance plans that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the College. Directory Information will not be disclosed for purposes unrelated to activities approved by and associated with Bucks County Community College. Examples of these unrelated activities are: developing mailing lists to engage in a commercial enterprise; dissemination of political information; solicitation of funds by individuals, agencies, and institutions; and notification of opportunities to attend meetings of, engage in a contract with, participate in, order goods or services from, or join an organization, institution, agency, or individual that is not approved by and associated with Bucks County Community College. A student directory is not published by the College because of the expense incurred in such an undertaking and the potential for invasion of students' privacy.
Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under FERPA. To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received by the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration within three weeks of the first day of classes for the semester in which the withholding of Directory Information is to take effect.
The College assumes that the absence of a specific request to withhold Directory Information indicates approval for disclosure.