In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) enforces guidelines concerning “eligible student” educational records and governs the conditions of its disclosure. “Education records” are “those records, files documents, and other materials which 1) contain information directly related to a student; and 2) are maintained by an educational institution” (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(4)(A); 34 CFR § 99.3). “Eligible student” is defined by FERPA as a student who is 18 years of age or older OR is attending a postsecondary institution. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Student rights under FERPA

FERPA also provides students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

  • The right to review and inspect their own student education records. WWCC will provide access to a student’s records within 45 days of the submitted request. To make such a request, please contact the Office of Admissions and Registrar at 509.524.5168 or email [email protected].
  • The right to request an amendment of the education record. Eligible students have the right to seek amendment of their student education records if the student believes it to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Please note this process cannot be used to challenge a grade. To make such a request, please contact the Office of Admissions and Registrar at 509.524.5168 or email [email protected].
  • The right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information is disclosed, except when FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Except as otherwise indicated below or if the information is considered directory information, WWCC will not provide information contained in student records in response to inquiries unless the student has given consent to the WWCC in writing. The following are examples of when a student education record may be released without written consent.
    • Under FERPA, student records may be shared with a “school official” who has a “legitimate education interest”.
      • A school official includes (a) persons employed by WWCC in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, clerical or support staff position (including but not limited to campus safety and security, academic advisors, and mental health staff); (b) persons serving on the board of trustees; or (c) persons (including students) serving on an official university committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee.
        A university official also may include a volunteer, contractor, consultant or other party outside of WWCC (i) who performs an institutional service or function for which the college would otherwise use its own employees, (ii) who is under the direct control of the college with respect to the use and maintenance of education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist a school official in performing their tasks, and (iii) who is subject to the obligation not to disclose personal identifiable information from any education record without the prior written consent of the student.
      • A school official has a legitimate educational interest if they must complete a task or engage in an activity related to (i) one’s regular duties or professional responsibilities, (ii) a student’s education, (iii) the discipline of a student, (iv) a service to or benefit for a student, (v) measures to support student success, and (vi) the safety and security of the campus.
    • A student’s record will be released if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
    • A student’s record will be released if law requires disclosure. For example, WWCC provides additional information to military recruiters in compliance with the 1996 Solomon Amendment (10 U.S.C. § 983).
  • The right to file a complaint. An eligible student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by WWCC to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC  20202

Directory Information

Walla Walla Community College may release directory information contained in a student’s education records without violating FERPA if the student has not restricted their personal information. WWCC’s directory information includes:

  • Student’s name
  • Field of Study
  • Enrollment Status (e.g. full-time or part-time)
  • Dates of Attendance and Completion
  • Degrees and Awards Received
Request to Restrict Directory Information

Students wishing to be excluded from the student directory information as defined in PL.93-380, must file a quarterly non-disclosure request with the Registrar to seal their records. Walla Walla Community College assumes that failure on the part of any student specifically request the withholding of “Directory Information” indicates individual approval for disclosure. By sealing your records, WWCC will be unable to verify degrees, graduation, or any other requested information.

If you wish to seal your records, please contact the Office of Admissions/Registrar at 509.524.5168 or email [email protected].

Resources regarding FERPA