FERPA Training Guide - VCOM

Consent to disclosure 

The student can provide a written release to the institution giving specific consent to the disclosure of the student's education records. The release needs to be dated and signed and should describe the records, the purpose for the release, list to whom the records can be given and indicate the length of time for which the release is effective  Letters of Recommendation  Faculty and other agents of the college may generate letters of recommendation without the students written consent ONLY if the letter is limited to the writers personal observations or knowledge of the student.  If personable identifiers such as GPA, class rank, etc. are included the writer MUST obtain a signed release from the student.  The signed release should  Specify the records/data that may be disclosed  States the purpose of the disclosure  Identifies the party/parties to whom the disclosure can be made  The form, Authorization to Release Information, that can be found under important forms on the Registrar webpage may be used if desired.