The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of education records and gives eligible students (aged 18 or older or entering college) and parents (if legally permitted and at NSU’s discretion) certain rights with respect to the student's education records. NSU students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the university’s receipt of a written request for access.
Students should submit written requests to the Office of the University Registrar (registrarstudentrecords@nova.edu) and identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Office of the University Registrar will arrange for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
Students have the right to:
- Request an amendment to their education record if they believe it to be inaccurate
or misleading. Students who believe that their education records contain information
that is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights
may submit a written request for amendment of the education record to the Office of
the University Registrar at registrarstudentrecords@nova.edu. The student will be notified in writing, within a reasonable time after receipt
of the request, whether the record will be amended. If the university decides not
to amend the record, the Office of the University Registrar will notify the student
of their right to a hearing.
- Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information within their education
records, except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent. One exception that
permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate
educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in
an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position; a person
or company with whom the university has contracted (such as, attorneys, auditors,
collection or loan servicing agents, the National Student Clearinghouse); clinical
training sites; Board of Trustees members; or students serving on official committees
(such as disciplinary or grievance committees), or assisting school officials with
their tasks.
- File a complaint if they believe their privacy rights under FERPA have been violated. Complaints may be directed to the Student Privacy Policy Office (for internal resolution), or the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-8520.
Directory Information
NSU designates the following information in a student’s education record as "Directory Information," which may be made publicly available and/or disclosed:
- Student name
- Local and home address
- Telephone numbers
- Photo ID
- Major field of study
- Participation in sports
- Place of birth
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees, honors and awards received
- Enrollment Status
- Year in School
- Graduation date/anticipated graduation date
- Email addresses
Release of Student Information
Students may give consent for NSU to discuss and/or release information in their education record to a third party by entering that person’s name, relationship, and type of information to be disclosed in SharkLink/Self Service Banner. The student may revoke or modify the consent at any time. Instructions on how to grant and/or modify consent are published on the Office of the University Registrar’s website.
Although students may authorize the release of information from their education records, the university is under no obligation to release such information unless required to do so by law or court order. Students may enter, review, or modify their consent via the online Release of Information Form at nova.edu/roi made available on the Office of the University Registrar’s website.
Learn More About Release of Information
Request to Keep Directory Information Private
Students may request to keep their Directory Information private by submitting a completed Request to Keep Directory Information Private form to the Office of the University Registrar.
Please note that doing so may have unintended consequences, such as the university not including the student on the Dean's List or in commencement programs; the university’s inability to verify the student’s details for prospective employers; and the university cannot communicate with the student over the phone.
Completed forms may be submitted electronically, via DocuSign using the above link, mailed to the Office of the University Registrar, 3300 S. University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, or delivered to One-Stop Shop in the Horvitz Administration Building.
Reversing a Request to Keep Directory Information Private
Students who wish to reverse a previously submitted Request to Keep Directory Information Private may submit a Request to Permit Disclosure of Directory Information Form. By submitting this form, the student reinstates NSU’s right to share the student’s directory information, as permitted for all students under FERPA.
Please note: The Office of the University Registrar will verify all requests which may require the student to appear in person. A government-issued photo ID will be required.
Deceased Student Records
Records of deceased students are made available to parents, spouses, executors/executrix , or other authorized parties upon a written request to the Office of the University Registrar. The request must state the specific need for the records and the requestor's relationship to the student; and include proof of authorization, such as a court order appointing the executor or executrix and .an official copy of the death certificate if the university does not have prior or verified notice of the death. The university reserves the right to deny any record request in its reasonable discretion.
Additional Assistance
For further assistance on this matter, eligible students should contact the Office of the University Registrar at (954) 262-7200 or 800-541-6682 ext. 27200, or at registrarstudentrecords@nova.edu.
Contact the University Registrar
Office of the University Registrar
3300 S. University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004
Phone: (954) 262-7200
Fax: (954) 262-3256
Contact the University Registrar
Hours of Operation
One Stop Shop
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays