What is FERPA and why is it important for OLs?

• A. A campus safety protocol.
• B. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; it protects student education records and requires confidentiality when discussing student information.
• C. A student grievance policy.
• D. A code of conduct for faculty.

Answer: (B)

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and controls who can see that information. For Orientation Leaders, this matters because you’ll encounter personal details about students—like contact information, academic status, housing, or disciplinary records—and you must handle them with care. The rule is to keep such information confidential and only share it with people who have a legitimate educational need or with the student themselves, and only with proper consent. You can discuss a student’s own records or direct them to the official channels (like the registrar) to access their information. Directory information (such as name or email) may be disclosed unless the student has opted out, but sensitive items like grades or disciplinary actions should never be shared without consent. When in doubt, don’t disclose and refer to the proper policies. Understanding FERPA helps prevent privacy violations and protects students while you support them during orientation.