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 is requiring faculty and staff who have access to student records to renew or undergo FERPA training every two years.
Beginning April 6, 2020, all employees who have or who will have access to student records, either electronic or hardcopy, are required to complete a brief (30 minute) FERPA Compliance Training program and a 10-15-minute certification test. Access to student records in Banner, ARGOS, or other NEOMED systems is contingent upon completing this training and test. 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 current faculty and staff to complete the FERPA Compliance training and certification test is July 1, 2020. 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 test are available through the NEOMED Success Center (NSC). Access the NSC from the Faculty & Staff tab of the NEOMED website using the link under the “Faculty & Staff Systems” section. The Office of the University Registrar has also posted FERPA Q&A’s for Staff and Faculty on its website for use as an information supplement and quick reminder tool. At the end of the training module and test, be sure to electronically sign the “acknowledgement statement” to confirm you have completed the training.
For further information regarding FERPA Compliance Training, please contact Katherine Miranda, university registrar, via email at kmiranda@neomed.edu or Jordan Cinderich, coordinator, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, at jcinderich@neomed.edu.
-Submitted by Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs