Release of Student Information

Johnston Community College recognizes the rights and privacies afforded each student under Public Law 93-380, entitled the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and is in compliance with the provisions of the Act.

The statute governs access and confidentiality to records maintained by educational institutions and the release of such records.  In brief, FERPA requires:

  • The College provide access to official records directly related to the student
  • An opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate
  • Obtain the written consent of the student before releasing personal identifiable data about the student from records unless such action is permitted by FERPA
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education

The student's record may not be revealed to any party without written consent from the student except under the conditions allowed by FERPA. These exceptions are outlined in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, certain directory information may be released for currently enrolled students.  This directory information will only be released exercising extreme caution, so as not to cause harm to our students.  If students wish not to have this information released, they must make the request in writing each academic year.  This request must be filed with the Office of the Registrar.

Johnston Community College has designated the following information as directory information:

  • Student’s name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • JCC email
  • Enrollment status
  • Field of study
  • Photographs
  • Degrees and graduation honors received

*Even though a student may have placed a FERPA hold, the College has the right to share the student's information with school officials who have a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including security 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 a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting other school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Further information concerning student records and institutional policies for the implementation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is available in the Student Services Office.