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Student Privacy Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), with which
Columbia International University fully complies, protects the privacy of
educational records, establishes the right of students to inspect these records, and
provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through
informal hearings.
Student records include finances, academic-related ministry assignments and
evaluation, grades, veteran affairs, and Student Life files. You have the right to file
complaints concerning alleged institutional failure to comply with this Act. Copies
of the institutional compliance policy are available in the Registrar’s Office.
CIU designates the following categories of student records as public “Directory
Information” and may use its discretion in disclosing this data:
1.
Name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, classification
2.
Previous institution(s) attended, major fields of study, awards, honors,
degree(s) conferred (including dates)
3.
Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and
activities, physical factors (height and weight of athletes), date and place
of birth.
Forms requesting the withholding of “Directory Information” may be obtained
from the Registrar’s Office and must be signed and returned prior to the first day
of the second full week of classes. Unless this form is filed, individual approval for
disclosure is assumed.
The university is permitted to notify parents concerning the following matters:
(a) health or safety emergencies, such as a medical or psychiatric crisis, when
disclosure is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student; (b) violation
of the university’s drug or alcohol policy by a student under the age of 21; and (c) a
final disciplinary decision that determines the student attempted to, or did, commit
a serious crime as defined by FERPA.
Student Appeal and Grievance Policy
It is the goal of CIU to provide services and educational opportunities without
discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability or sex.
Should a student have a complaint, CIU provides two avenues for the student to
address the complaint; a student may choose to appeal a decision or file a formal
grievance. An appeal can be made when a student disagrees with a university
decision. A grievance can be filed when a dispute has arisen regarding treatment
toward a student by a university employee. The process aims to be constructive
and positive in resolving differences.
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