FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("FERPA") is a federal law that gives students certain rights with respect to their education records.
Education Records
At Harvard Business School Online, we keep records for our participants that describe and document their work and progress. These education records generally include items such as address, admissions records, enrollment status, course grades, reports and evaluations, completion of requirements and progress toward the credential, records of disciplinary actions, and other correspondence with or about the student.
Access
To be useful, students’ records must be accurate and complete. The Program Services Department of Harvard Business School Online maintains these records. All students have access to their own education records and may contribute to them if they feel there is need for clarification. If you would like to access your education records you should contact hbsonlineprivacy@hbs.edu. You will be asked to send a written request that identifies the specific record or records you would like to inspect. Access will be given within 45 days on receipt of the request. When a record contains information about more than one student, you may only inspect and review the portion of the record relating to you.
You should direct any questions you have about the accuracy of records to hbsonlineprivacy@hbs.edu. If Harvard Business School Online declines to amend the records as requested, you are entitled to a hearing to resolve this issue. Further details of this procedure will be sent to you if you contact us about amending your records.
Directory Information
Directory Information can be made available to the general public under FERPA. Directory information is defined by Harvard Business School Online as: full name, email address, date of birth, program name and dates of enrollment, dates of completion, and credential in progress or received. A participant has a right to block disclosure of their directory information. This is known as a ‘FERPA Block’. Please contact hbsonlineprivacy@hbs.edu for more information.
Other Disclosures Permitted Under FERPA
There are certain circumstances where FERPA also permits disclosure of education records without a student’s knowledge or consent. For example, Harvard officials with a legitimate educational interest may access these records. This means that the person needs the information in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities, including instructional, supervisory, advisory, administrative, academic, research, staff support or other duties. "Harvard officials" include: faculty; administrators; clerical employees; professional employees; other employees and agents of the University; independent contractors, consultants, volunteers and other parties performing services or functions on behalf of Harvard Business School Online, Harvard Business School or the University; and members of Harvard's governing boards.
Student Rights Under FERPA
Under Harvard Business School Online policy and FERPA to the extent that it applies, students and former students have the right to:
- Inspect and review their education records that are maintained by Harvard Business School Online;
- Exercise limited control over other people's access to their education records;
- Seek to correct their education records if they believe them to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of their FERPA rights;
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe Harvard Business School Online has not complied with the requirements of FERPA;
- Be fully informed of their rights under FERPA.
Complaints regarding alleged violation of rights of students under FERPA may be submitted in writing within 180 days to the Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5920.