Annual Notice to Students

1999-2000 Bulletin Entry for:


Annual Notice to Students



Brandeis Graduation Rate

In compliance with federal law, the University makes available to students and prospective students information concerning the rate at which full-time, first-time degree seeking students complete requirements for the bachelor's degree within six years of entrance. In 1997-98, the graduation rate for students who entered Brandeis in 1992 was 79%.

Policies Regarding Educational Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the University Registrar, Dean, Department Chair, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

To seek the amendment of a record believed to be inaccurate or misleading, students should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record, it will notify the student accordingly, advising of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will be provided at that time.

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Exceptions that permit disclosure without consent include but are not limited to: (a) disclosure to parents of students who are claimed as dependents for tax purposes; (b) upon request, disclosure to officials of another school in which a student seeks to enroll; such records will be forwarded on request; (c) disclosures in compliance with certain subpoenas; (d) disclosures to university officials with legitimate educational interests. An official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, the National Student Loan Clearinghouse, or a collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. Such an official has a legitimate educational interest if information in the educational records is necessary to the maintenance of the academic enterprise and to the officer’s capacity to act responsibly in the student’s educational interest.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Brandeis University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Public Notice Designating Directory Information

The University designates the following categories of student information as public "directory information." Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion. The University makes student directory information available in two forms--electronically (as an on-line directory) and in the annual directory published at the start of the fall semester. Currently enrolled students and newly matriculated students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under FERPA. Students who withhold category I information will not appear in either the on-line directory or the annual published directory. Students who do not wish to have directory information published in the annual student directory must file notice in the Office of the University Registrar before July 15. Students who do not wish to have directory information published in the on-line student directory must file notice in the Office of the University Registrar--seven working days may be required for such notification to take effect. Brandeis University assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of public information indicates individual approval for disclosure.

Category I

Name, local addresses (including electronic address) and telephone number, home address and telephone number, date of birth, full-time/part-time status, class (i.e., first year, sophomore, etc.).

Category II

Dates of attendance and field of concentration at Brandeis, previous institution(s) attended and major field of study, awards and honors, degree(s) conferred and date(s) conferred.

Category III

Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight of athletes).

Notifications regarding directory information should be sent to:

Office of the University Registrar

Mailstop 068 124 Kutz Hall

P.O. Box 9110

Waltham, MA 02454-9110

Sealing Student Records

After students graduate from the University their records are sealed and no further changes are allowed. The correction of clerical mistakes is possible by petition to the University Registrar.