Understanding Student Data and FERPA

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign policy is consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

Use of student records for research purposes is prohibited unless individual student consent is provided. Consent must be signed and dated, specify the records that may be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made.

Such research projects may also be subject to Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. In the context of this prohibition, “research” refers to any analysis of student record data and dissemination of results for any purpose other than an instructor’s personal evaluation use.

Contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation if you have questions.