Contact Information
703-993-2000
https://registrar.gmu.edu/
One of the new aspects of emerging adulthood that your Patriot will face is the confidentiality of their records. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), George Mason cannot disclose student records to anyone, including parents and families, without student permission. While the FERPA law is in place to protect student privacy, we understand this could be very different from the way you communicated with administrators in high school/secondary school. Consider this a shift in mindset. This isn’t meant to discourage your involvement in your student’s education, rather, FERPA speaks to the shift in familial involvement as your student takes on more personal responsibility for their academic life.
Here are the questions families frequently ask us:
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that governs the education records of eligible students. It grants students continuous access to their education records upon request, allows students to amend their records if they feel they’re inaccurate, and restricts how and when their education records can be disclosed.
How does this legislation impact my student?
This law prevents Mason from releasing a student's email, phone number or address under the directory information exception of the Family Educational and Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) unless:
- The disclosure is to students enrolled at Mason for educational purposes or institution business, and the student has not opted out of such disclosure or,
- The student has affirmatively consented in writing to such disclosure.
How can a student provide consent to share their information?
The student must complete and Opt-In Form and provide consent to share their student information. This consent can be revoked at any time by the student.
Definitions: For more information regarding specific language utilized when discussing FERPA or filling out an Opt-In Form, please visit https://registrar.gmu.edu/ferpa/definitions/
