The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law designed 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 and misleading data through information and formal hearings. The Office of the Registrar makes available copies of the federal regulations.

In accordance with FERPA, disclosure of student information, including financial and academic, is restricted.  Release of information other than “directory information” to anyone other than the student requires a written consent from the student.

The College may release “directory information” without prior written consent from the student.  St. Mary’s College considers the following to be directory information:

• name, phone number, e-mail address;
• date and place of birth;
• year in college;
• parents’ names and addresses;
• prior educational institutions attended;
• dates of college attendance;
• degrees;
• scholarships and awards received;
• weight and height of members of athletic teams;
• participation in officially recognized activities and sports.

We understand that you are concerned with your student’s academic progress.  If your student is willing, he/she may sign a waiver giving specific permission for you to view confidential information, including grades.  However, it is not the College’s policy to send grade reports to parents.  The best way to find out about your student’s grades is still to ask him/her.

If you have academic concerns for your student, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Academic Services at 240-895-4388.  However, please understand that the amount of information we are able to discuss without written student consent is limited.