Minding FERPA during COVID-19

Thompson Coburn LLP

Scott Goldschmidt 

May 11, 2020

Here at REGucation, we deeply appreciate that this is not an easy time for the higher education administrators of the world. The phone calls, emails and meeting invites are unending. As are the webinars, electronic announcements and other forms of guidance emanating from the U.S. Department Education (and other agencies). In an effort to respond to COVID-19, and to keep pace with the constantly changing regulatory environment, institutions of higher education are undertaking unprecedented operational changes, and doing so at lightning speed.

Of course, with such changes come new challenges, including some that may not be recognized right away. With this in mind, we are focusing here on compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If you have not already done so, it is important to take a moment to consider whether the changes that have occurred on your campus have given rise to new student privacy matters that need to be addressed.

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