The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is the federal law that governs the rights of students and defines institutional responsibilities with respect to student records.

FERPA restricts the amount of student information that advisors can share with outside parties, including parents and guardians. Some student data is considered to be directory information and can be shared with any outside party, unless the student restricts access to this information via UAccess. All non-directory information is confidential and cannot be shared with an outside party unless the student waives his or her FERPA rights by signing an Authorization for Release of Information (PDF).