FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.  The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education.  Missouri State - West Plains is one of those institutions.

The rights provided under FERPA transfer to the student once the student reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.  Generally, schools must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student's education records.  FERPA does identify "directory information" that can be disclosed without notification.  This information includes:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone listing
• Email address (university)
• Major field of study
• Classification
• Enrollment Status
• Participation in recognized activities and sports, including photographs of athletes
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and certificates, honors, and awards received
• Most recent education agency or institution attended

Frequently, coaches are contacted about your experience while a student-athlete at Missouri State - West Plains and we request you complete the FERPA release form so that we can talk with them in attempting to assist you with your next athletic opportunity.