Texas Tech University

FERPA

Information for Faculty & Staff

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) is a federal law that pertains to the release of and access to education records. FERPA helps to define a student's rights regarding their education records and how the institution should protect those records.
 

The Red Raider Family Network

Texas Tech students can authorize access to their educational records through the Red Raider Family Network. This platform offers an electronic FERPA authorization, streamlining the process for requesting access to a student's academic and financial information. Parents and family members can easily submit a request, and the student will decide which records to share. Additionally, the Red Raider Family Network serves as a valuable connection for parents and family members to stay informed about important Texas Tech news and events.

Before you release any information about a student, you must first check that the parent or family member is authorized through the Red Raider Family Network.

 
 

As Texas Tech faculty or staff, you can log in to the Red Raider Family Network using your Texas Tech Single Sign-On (SSO).

Screenshot of SSO

Once you are logged in, select the Profile icon at the top right.

Screenshot of profile icon

From the drop-down menu, select Admin to access the admin area.

Screenshot of admin access icon

In the Students field, enter one of the following to search:
  • Student R Number (preferred)
  • Student Email
  • Student First Name
  • Student Last Name


Screenshot of student search

The student's Texas Tech email address will be displayed. Click on the email address to continue.

Screenshot of student email displayed

Enter the Validation PIN or the parent/individual's email address.

Screenshot of verification screen

If the parent or individual on the phone provides you with a correct PIN, green verified boxes with information granted will appear.

Screenshot of granted access

If the parent or individual provides an incorrect PIN, a red incorrect box with information will appear. You may send parents a link to reset their PIN.

Screenshot of incorrect PIN

Connection Statuses

Queued: The parent has initiated a request, but the Student does not exist in CampusESP yet. This mostly happens over the summer during Orientation as students may be actively registering for classes around the same time that the parent requests. A connection will be queued for 3 months before being Archived.

Pending: The Student has not yet approved the request made by the parent.

Loading: The Student has approved the parent's request and the data will load in overnight.

Awaiting Confirmation: The Student has granted permission to a parent, but the parent has not yet confirmed their access (created a password, a PIN, etc.)

Approved/Active: The connection is live and data is visible in the parent's tiles.

Removed/Canceled: The connection has been canceled by the student and no data is visible in CampusESP.

Faculty & Staff Responsibilities

Directory Information: Student information that may be released without the consent of the student, if the studend has not restricted the release of their directory information. Directory information includes the following:

Student Name
Permanent and Local Addresses
Place of Birth
Classification
Major Field of Study
Dates of Attendance
Degrees, Awards, and Honors Received
Specific Enrollment Status
Full-time, Part-time, Half-time
Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, Veterinary Medicine
Participation in Officially Recognized Sports and Activities
Height/weight of members of Athletic Teams
Previous Institution(s) Attended

Educational Records: While FERPA allows schools to disclose student education records without consent in certain situations, generally, schools must have written permission from a student to release any information from a student's education record to any party not meeting a stated exception (contact the Office of the Registrar for more information). Parents, spouses, other students, even staff and faculty who do not have a legitimate educational interest should not access the student's information. It is the responsibility of all Texas Tech University employees who have access to student information to safeguard that information.

All discussions regarding a student's education record must be conducted in a private, secure manner. This includes all discussions relating to grades, advising or tutoring appointments, class schedules, enrollment, and all methods of communication (verbal, email, written, etc.).

Training Requirements

Any faculty and staff who require access to student records via the university's electronic systems must successfully complete the online FERPA training, with an 80% score or higher, prior to attendance of system-specific trainings. This is required for access to any student record system. Click below for instructions for registering for FERPA training.

Best Practices


Ensure any information relating specifically to the student's record or enrollment at Texas Tech University is discussed in a private and professional manner.


Ensure when utilizing email that other students or third parties are not copied.

Utilize the TTU email addresses for both your and your student's communication.

NEVER attach grades or other private information to an email distribution list.


Never discuss a student's education record with a parent or third party without first securing the written consent of the student. Third parties include other faculty who do not have a legitimate educational interest for that student's education record information.


Never include personally identifiable information with a publicly posted grade list. You may assign a random code or number that only you and the student know to post grades.

According to FERPA, a student does not have the right to be anonymous in a class. However, ensure you do not include student R-Numbers or emails on any sign-in sheet.

 

Resources

TTU OP 30.30: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Confidentiality Agreement/Form

Information Privacy and Confidentiality Statements

FERPA Scholarship Release of Information Statement/Form

Letter of Recommendation Request Waiver Form

Department of Education

Photo Release Form