Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, in accordance with the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act of 1974, has designated the following information regarding its students as directory (public) information:

• Name
• Program
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of intercollegiate athletic teams
• Dates of Attendance
• Degrees and awards received (including dates of graduation and major)
• Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended.
• Enrollment Status (part-time or full-time), including date(s) of change(s) in status if specifically requested.

This information may be released without the written consent of the student.  All other information is confidential and will be released only with written consent from the student for legitimate College purposes or as otherwise required by law.

Students have the right to withhold directory information from the public if they desire.  Each student who wants all directory information withheld is required to inform the Office of the Registrar in writing.  At least 5 days should be allowed for processing such requests.

Upon receipt of a written request to withhold directory information, the Office of the Registrar will place a Hold on the student’s record alerting staff in the Office of the Registrar the student has requested that no information be provided. No information will be released, regardless of any authorizations the student has completed either before or after notification has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Cincinnati State receives many inquiries for “directory information” from various sources, including prospective employers, insurance companies, loan agencies, other institutions of higher education, government agencies and news media.  All students are advised to carefully consider the consequences of a decision to withhold directory information.  If a student requests to have directory information withheld, the student will be required to provide written consent to the Office of the Registrar for any and all information to be released.  Students requesting that all directory information be withheld will not be able to register through the touch-tone registration service.

Photographs and/or films of students for promotional and recruitment purposes are taken throughout the school year.  Students who do not wish to be included in these visuals must inform the Director of Public Information prior to photographing and/or filming.

Solomon Amendment

In compliance with the Solomon Amendment which became effective on April 1, 1997, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College must supply the following information (if captured) to representatives of any branch of Federal Armed Forces for the purpose of federal recruiting:

• student name
• address
• telephone number
• major
• date and place of birth
• level of education
• degree(s) received
• prior military experience
• most recent previous education institution enrolled

Cincinnati State will only release this information without the student’s written prior consent in compliance with the Solomon Amendment and upon written request of an official representative of the Federal Armed Forces.  Please review the above section for information pertaining to the release of directory information.

Notification of Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records.  They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the date that Cincinnati State Technical and Community College receives a request for access.  Students should submit to the registrar, dean, program chair or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The College official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.  Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to schools officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is:

§         a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel);

§         a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent);

§         a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A College official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:

                                    Family Policy Compliance Office

                                    U.S. Department of Education

                                    400 Maryland Avenue, SW

                                    Washington, DC  20202-4605