Required FERPA training for faculty and staff

The U.S. Department of Education closely monitors universities to determine whether an institution is providing Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) training for its employees who have access to student records. Accrediting agencies also want reassurance that institutions are fulfilling this expectation. With a rise in complaints filed with the Department of Education regarding unauthorized disclosure of student information in recent years, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) implemented a systematic university-wide online training program in 2018 to avoid potential unauthorized disclosures of student information. After that inaugural training, NEOMED requires faculty and staff who have access to student records to renew or undergo FERPA training every two years.

Beginning May 4, 2026, all employees who have or who will have access to student records, either electronic or hardcopy, are required to complete a (50-minute) FERPA Compliance Training program and a brief certification quiz. Requests for student records in Banner, ARGOS or other NEOMED systems is contingent upon completing this training and quiz every two years. Additionally, any faculty or staff member who may not be required but would like to undergo FERPA training is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

The deadline for all FERPA compliance training and certification test is June 12, 2026. New employees who are hired during the course of the year will complete FERPA training as part of the initial employment process.

The training materials and certification quiz are available through Canvas. The Office of the University Registrar has also posted FERPA Q&As for staff and faculty on its website for use as an information supplement and quick reminder tool.

For further information regarding FERPA compliance training, please contact Katherine Miranda, university registrar, via email at kmiranda@neomed.edu, or Amanda Huffman, administrative coordinator, Office of the Registrar, via email at ahuffman@neomed.edu, or Andrea Coard, academic affairs specialist, Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, at acoard@neomed.edu.

- Submitted by the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

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