Policies and Procedures

Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students at North Central Michigan College are entitled to review records, files, documents and other materials containing information directly related to them which are maintained by the college. In accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, students may request a hearing to challenge the content of educational records to insure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of their rights. A student may insert in his or her records a written explanation in regard to the contents of such records if suggested corrections or deletions are not made by the college.

Access and review are subject to the following conditions:

1. The college has 45 days to comply with a student's written request to review his or her records.

2. All information declared confidential by the Act or excluded from the definition of "educational records" in the Act is not available for inspection; and

3. After reviewing records, a student may request the unit maintaining the record to remove or modify information the student believes is misleading, inaccurate or inappropriate. If the request is refused, the student may insert in the records a written explanation in regard to the contents objected to or the student may file an appeal with the office in charge of the records. This appeal will be heard by a person or committee appointed by the administrator of the office involved.

The Act further states that certain information can be constructed to be directory information which is available to the public. These are the items the college declares to be directory information available to the public: name, primary field of study, dates of attendance, and whether or not the student is currently enrolled. A student has the right to inform the college that any or all of the above information should not be released without his/her prior consent. Students who wish to restrict the release of this information must complete a written request to that effect at the Student Services Office. Any information other than the items listed previously will not be released by the college without the student's specific written permission except as provided by law.

In order to improve the instruction offered at North Central and to meet the requirements of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, Section 113 and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Section 122, we will be using your Social Security Number in order to compile summary reports. Section 113 of the Carl D. Perkins and Technical Education Act, 20 USC 2323, and section 122 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 29 USC 2842, requires North Central and the State of Michigan to assess the effectiveness of vocational and technical education programs aimed at training, placement, and retention of students in employment. Although these laws require that performance reports be compiled based on wage record information, neither law requires students to give their social security numbers (SSN) to the college.