Nebraska Wesleyan University is aware that students have rights and expectations in terms of their privacy, as explained under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA, however, permits NWU officials to disclose, without student consent, educational records which may include personally identifiable information, in order to protect the health or safety of students or other individuals. At such times, records and information may be released to appropriate parties such as law enforcement officials, public health officials, and trained medical personnel.  In addition, the Department of Education interprets FERPA to permit institutions to disclose information from education records to parents/guardians if a health or safety emergency involves their student FERPA (34 CFR 99.31).

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University may notify parents/guardians in the following circumstances:

• Serious concern for the health and safety of a student
• Serious or repeated offenses related to alcohol or drug use
• Serious risk of losing financial aid
• Removal from residential and/or Greek housing
• Missing persons concerns
• Certain student conduct violations when warranted under policies in the Code of Student Conduct

This sharing of information is also permissible among University employees where there is a “need to know,” such as sharing updates between departments with whom the student interacts.