Privacy Law (FERPA)

Who can request access . . .

Under FERPA, prior written consent must be obtained before a student's education record may be disclosed to a third party, unless they are exempted from this provision. Information will be released without your prior written consent to the following groups or individuals:

• Western Michigan University faculty and staff with legitimate educational need to know
• Representatives of agencies or organizations from which you have received financial aid, including banks or other lending agencies from which you have guaranteed student loans
• Individuals or groups specifically exempted from the prior consent requirement
• Federal and state officials, organizations conducting studies on behalf of Western Michigan University and accrediting organizations
• Upon request, WMU may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for the purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer.

Instances in which prior written consent is not required:

• Requests in connection with an emergency, if such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other person
• Requests in accordance with a lawful subpoena or court order
• Requests for directory information, if not restricted by the student