FERPA Scenario Q&A
Question: A faculty member routinely leaves graded exams and graded coursework in a box outside her office door for students to pick up at their convenience. Students are identified by their names and W numbers. Is this practice a violation of FERPA?
Answer: Yes. The graded exams and coursework are education records because they are directly
related to the student and they are arguably maintained by the faculty member.
Student names and W numbers are personally identifiable information. It is a
violation of the FERPA for a faculty member to leave unsecured in a public area
education records containing personally identifiable information.
* General Rule: Graded exams and other coursework should be
returned to students in a manner that protects the privacy of the records. Do
not leave unsecured in a public area any item of a student's work that contains
personally identifiable information. Instead of using names and W numbers,
faculty may opt to use only the W number. Or, faculty may leave graded exams
and coursework with a department assistant who will verify ID and release the
records to the individual student.
Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu
Quick Links
Fall 2009 Final Examination Schedule
Transcripts/Enrollment Verification
Pay for Transcripts or Diploma Fee
Department 3964
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307)766-5272
e-mail: registrar@uwyo.edu
