Law and Statutes

FERPA—Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

• Students have educational records at the University that are kept confidential.
• This information can only be shared on a "need to know" basis.
• Students have a right to see what is in their educational records.
• Parents have a right to see what is in their child's educational record if the child is under 18 years old and is considered a dependent for income tax purposes.
• Others may have access to educational records if they have obtained a release form from the student.

Campus Security and Right to Know Act—The Clery Act

• The University is required to report certain crime statistics that are available through University Police.
• The University is also required to alert the campus community of potential criminal threats. This is done through Crime Watch notices.
• The University also provides victims assistance that can be obtained through the Office of Student Life.
• The University is also required to provide graduation rates that are available through the Registrar's Office.

Violence Against Women Act

• Congress has passed a law that deals with violent acts against women. These would include violent situations, sexual assault, and murder.
• This law is tied in closely with FERPA because it allows certain criminal information to be released without a student's consent.

Schools-Hazing Offense Chapter 1041 S.B. No.24.

• The Texas anti-hazing statute took effect on September 1, 1987. The Act covers offenses related to hazing at, or in connection with, educational institutions.
• The term "hazing" under the statue includes, but is not limited to, offenses that subject the student to an unreasonable risk or harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health and safety of the student.
• Some examples of hazing: physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, paddling, and branding; forced consumption of substances such as food, alcoholic beverages, drugs or other substances that may affect mental or physical health.