In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and all amendments, any unit of the college holding student records shall obtain written consent of the student before disclosing personally identifiable information, other than directory information, from his/her educational records.
Student educational records are under the direct supervision and coordination of the registrar, while records on disciplinary actions are held by the dean of student development. Students are afforded the following rights with respect to their education records.
The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access. Students should submit a written request that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect to the Office of Admissions and Registration. The college will make the arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The college shall respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate. Students who believe that information in their records is inaccurate, misleading, or violates privacy may make a request to the registrar to amend the records. In a written statement to the registrar, students should identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates their privacy. If the registrar decides not to amend the record as requested, the student will be notified in writing of the decision and will advise the student of his/her right to request a hearing to the dean of Student Services regarding the request for amendment. Additional information will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information (not "Directory Information") contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
An exception to the disclosure statement without student consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the college has a contract to provide a service instead of using college employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibilities for the college. Also exempt are officials of other colleges, universities, or schools in which the student intends to enroll; and in compliance with a judicial order or subpoena, provided the student is informed before the information is released.
FERPA also gives certain rights to parents regarding their children's educational records. Parents of legally dependent students have the right to inspect the records even without the student's written permission. A parent may prove that a student is dependent by producing official copies of the current year's federal income tax return which identifies the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
KCC hereby designates the following categories of student information as public or "Directory Information":
- telephone number
- enrollment status (full- or part-time)
- dates of attendance
- most recent institution attended
- major field of study
- awards, honors, degrees conferred (including dates)
- past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities
- physical data (height and weight of athletes only)
- date and place of birth
- email address
- photo ID.
Such information may be disclosed to inquiring parties at the discretion of the college.
Under provision of FERPA, currently enrolled students may prevent disclosure of information under FERPA by completing the "Student Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information" to the registrar during the first 10 days of the semester. The form is available in Admissions and Registration. Once received, all directory information will be withheld until such time that the student notifies the registrar in writing to have the hold removed. Note: if a student places a hold on directory information at the time of graduation or withdrawal from the college, the college will be unable to comply with any directory information requests received after the student's departure. The student must consider the consequences of any decision to withhold directory information, because future requests for such information from other schools, prospective employers or other persons or organizations will be refused. The college assumes no liability for honoring the student's instructions to withhold information. Only a student who is currently enrolled at the college may suppress directory information. If the form is not received in the Office of Admissions and Registration by the 10th day of the semester, it is assumed that the above information may be disclosed.
If a student wishes to have his/her attendance, academic progress, financial information, etc., discussed by staff/instructor with another person(s) whom the student designates, the student must first complete and present the FERPA Release Form to the registrar. All forms may be obtained by the Office of Admissions and Registration or from this web site.
Students are annually informed of the FERPA Act through this section of the website and in the official college catalog.