Privacy of Student Records
What do you do when your boss asks you for a list of students in a certain residence or with a certain set of interests to alert them to an upcoming event? What do you do when a parent calls to find out where their child is?
The answer in each case is, “It depends.” Federal law and Penn policy tell us what student data we can share with whom. Student data cannot be shared except in specified circumstances.
These are some common examples of when student data may be shared:
• You may always share student information with University officials who need such information to perform their jobs.
• You may (though are not required to) share student data with a parent or other designated persons when a student has consented to such sharing. Penn allows students to consent through an online application in Penn InTouch or by using a paper form.
• You may share directory information if the student has not opted out of the directory. Follow the student’s preferences according to Penn’s online directory.
Want more information? Visit Penn’s Privacy website at www.upenn.edu/privacy or write to privacy@pobox.upenn.edu.
