In 1974 the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was established. FERPA guidelines prohibits institutions from releasing student data to anyone without expressed written permission from the student.
Minnesota State University, Mankato strictly adheres to FERPA policies and regulations. Employees are not allowed to give out private student information to anyone but the student or other school officials having a legitimate educational interest; this information cannot be shared with parents, siblings, spouses and/or friends without express written authorization. Please be aware that if you contact the university on behalf of a student and that student has not provided written authorization for us to release his/her private information to you, we will be limited to providing general policy and/or procedure information only. Student data privacy laws apply to all MSU students, regardless of age.
Students may grant access to their private information by completing an Authorization for Release of Information form (PDF)
Related Links:
Data Privacy
Student Privacy (Registrar's Office)