Reply to Q re: the wisdom behind FERPA

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We have a son starting college in the fall (large state flagship).

At all the parent orientation sessions this summer, the university staff repeatedly emphasize FERPA again and again.  It's as if they live in fear of getting in trouble for violating this statute.  I'm new to learning about this statute, but it seems extreme in protecting the privacy of the student.  I'm definitely not a helicopter dad in any way, but this law seems kind of like overkill.

As a jaded lawyer, I am kind of asking myself why this statute exists, if the university staff acknowledge that it's not ideal to have such a strict law that only makes the parents aware of things if they are really really bad.

What prompted the enactment of this statute in the first place?  And have universities ever questioned the law (and tried to lobby Congress to change it), or do they just live in fear of violating it?

Our laws should have legitimate purposes, and if not, we should try to amend them.[/quote]

I agree with you OP that the law goes too far and is too inflexible.  It doesn't not reflect the realities of most kids' college experiences.  I think it would be an issue worthy of raising with your elected representative.  I hadn't thought of doing that until I read your post but now I will bring it up the next time I see any of our congressional representatives at fundraising events or the like.[/quote]

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