Parents and Third-Party Record Access

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Once a student enrolls in college access to their education records transfer from the parents to the student. As a result, academic information such as grades, class schedules, and other records cannot be disclosed to parents without the student’s consent. 

Saint Louis University has two different methods through which students can grant access to third parties: Student Consent of Disclosure of FERPA Records and Banner Proxy.

Here's a brief overview of each:

Banner Proxy:

• Allows a student to designate another individual (a proxy) to access certain aspects of their student records within SLU’s student information system.
• The proxy has their own login credentials and permissions, allowing them to view information authorized by the student.
• The student can set permissions for the proxy, specifying what information or actions the proxy is allowed to access.

Student Consent of Disclosure of FERPA Records:

• The Student Consent of Disclosure of FERPA Records is a document signed by students that authorizes specific individuals or entities (such as parents, guardians or other designated individuals) to discuss their educational records with Saint Louis University employees.

Both Banner Proxy and the Student Consent of Disclosure of FERPA Records serve similar purposes in terms of granting access to third parties, but they operate within different contexts and systems. The Student Consent of Disclosure of FERPA Records is more generalized and applies to all educational records covered by FERPA, while Banner Proxy is specific to the Banner system and allows the student more granular control over access and actions within that system.

Third-party access must be given by the student. Saint Louis University cannot grant this access outside of this process.

FERPA at Saint Louis University

Frequently Asked Questions: mySLU

Directory Information

One of the exceptions under FERPA includes information the University has designated as "directory information.” Saint Louis University has designated the items below as directory information:

• Name
• Home and campus mailbox address
• Home and school telephone numbers
• Email address
• Major and field of study
• Classification
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Start and end dates of semesters enrolled
• Degrees and awards received (including Dean's List)
• The most recent previous educational institution attended

Students have the right to refuse to let the University designate any or all of the above types of information as directory information by filling out a request to prevent disclosure of directory information form and returning it to room 22 in DuBourg Hall, One Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.

Other Privacy and FERPA Compliance Forms

Request to prevent disclosure of directory information
Request that your personal information not be published in the University phone directory People Finder, the commencement book or the Dean's List. This same form can be used to reverse your decision and have your name included in the above areas.

Recommendation/evaluation authorization and waiver
Write letters of recommendations or provide an evaluation that references student information protected by FERPA.