Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Privacy Policies

PCC Board Policy

The PCC district shall follow all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations that apply to student records. All information contained in the college records which is personally identifiable to any student shall be kept confidential and not released except upon prior written consent of the subject student or upon the lawful subpoena or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Student information may be shared among college faculty and staff on an official “need to know” basis. (Policy B 407)

Confidentiality

Students have certain rights with respect to student records under Public Law 93-380. These include:

• The right to inspect the educational records of the student.
• The right to challenge the accuracy of the records if they are believed to be misleading or to violate the privacy or other rights of the student.
• Except as may be provided by law, the right to prevent the release of any or all information from the records to any other party. The college will not send transcripts or copies of other educational records to any other school, prospective employer, or another person without the written request of the student.

Solomon Act

Federal law requires PCC to provide student names, addresses, and telephone numbers to the military for recruiting purposes. If you would like your name withheld, call the Registration Office at 971-722-8888.

Privacy Rights of Student Educational Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1232g; Regulations: 34CFR Part 99) also known as the Buckley Amendment is a Federal Law that states (a) that a written institutional policy must be established and (b) that a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students be made available. The law provides that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of student education records.

Educational Records Policy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights regarding their educational records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s records. The student may request to review their records by submitting a written request to the Records Office or other school official having custody of such records.
• The right to seek amendment of the student’s records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. Requests for amendment of records must be in writing and must describe the specific portions or specific record(s) the student wishes to have amended, instructions as to the change desired, and reasons why the change is justified.
• The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except for when consent is not required by FERPA. FERPA does not require a student’s consent when disclosure is to other school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the college has contracted or appointed as its agent; or a student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing the official’s tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
• The right to file a complaint with the Department of Education, Family Compliance Office, concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Written complaints should be directed to:
  The Family Policy Compliance Office
  U.S. Department of Education
  500 Maryland Avenue SW
  Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

Note: FERPA rights belong to the PCC student, regardless of the student’s age.

Note: While PCC does not have any directory information, the college may contact a student via the phone and mailing address provided by the student, and may leave a voice mail at the provided number.