Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Cascadia Community College has adopted procedures in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (20 U.S.C. and 1232g) and its implementing regulation (34 C.F.R. § 99). View Cascadia’s complete FERPA policy in the Washington Administrative Code.  The Act requires Cascadia to:

• Provide students access to their own educational records
• Permit students to challenge their records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights
• Obtain written consent before releasing certain information
• Notify the student of these rights

In response to outside inquiries for information on students, Cascadia’s policy is ONLY to confirm:

• Dates of enrollment
• Area of study
• Degree or certificate earned

Exceptions include:

• Subpoenas
• Emergency situations
• Compliance with the Solomon Amendment and Department of Education requests through the Patriot Act
• Requests from the National Student Clearinghouse

Release of Information

To protect student privacy, photo identification is required to:

• View educational records
• Receive copies of educational records
• Change student information
• Enroll in classes
• Drop classes
• Withdraw from classes

Students may authorize disclosure of additional information to specific persons who provide photo identification by submitting a completed and signed Release of Information form [PDF] to the front counter in Kodiak Corner.

Social Security Number

Students’ social security numbers (SSN) are confidential, and under FERPA, the college will protect them from unauthorized use and disclosure. In compliance with state and federal requirements, a student’s SSN will not be authorized for identification purposes except for state and federal financial aid, Hope/Lifetime Learning tax credits, academic transcripts, assessment, accountability research, or as otherwise stated by law. Cascadia assigns each student an alternate identification number upon application to the school and/or class registration.

If students choose not to provide their social security number they must complete a non-disclosure form. The Internal Revenue Service can impose a $50 fine to the student for non-disclosure.

Solomon Amendment

Under Public Law 104-208, Cascadia is directed by the federal government to provide the Armed Forces such information as name, address, telephone number, date of birth, level of education, major and/or degree received, and prior military experience for all students. If you do not wish this information to be released, submit a written request to the front counter in Kodiak Corner. This request will prohibit your name from being published in all college-related publications.

Holds on Student Records

Students who have been placed on academic suspension or who have outstanding debts owed to the college (including parking fines, library fines, or instructional materials due) will not be allowed to register or make program changes until these have been cleared. Likewise, transcripts, certificates and degrees, or diplomas will not be released until all debts are cleared. Releasing a hold on records may take up to two business days to process.