Confidentiality of student records
Student records consist of the permanent academic record in the registrar’s office, a semi-confidential file of academic and personal data in the offices of academic advisers, a confidential file of personal data in the student life office and placement credentials in the education offices.
Certain facts in the student records are public information and will be given to any inquirer unless designated private by the student. Such data are whether or not an individual has ever attended Goshen College; the date of attendance at Goshen College, the date of graduation and the degree received, verification of the student’s birth date and local and/or parental home telephone numbers, any honors or award received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
Permanent academic records and confidential folders may not be seen or copied by any outside inquirer. A copy of the academic record will be released only if the student grants written permission. Disclosure of information to private agencies or prospective employers will be given only at the written request of the student.
Faculty and administrative members who have a legitimate interest in the material and demonstrate a need to know may view the permanent academic record and semi-confidential file of a student. Other teaching or administrative faculty may examine the confidential folders only with the consent of the student.
Students may review their permanent academic records in the registrar’s office at any time and may obtain an unofficial copy of the record upon request. Students may also view the semi-confidential folder in their academic adviser’s office. They may examine their confidential folders in the student life office. Student life maintains student confidential records for seven years. The time period begins when the student leaves Goshen College (graduates, withdraws or does not return to GC). If, upon examining educational records, a student believes inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate data are contained there, the student may request a hearing to consider the correction or deletion of such data.