UIC’s Relationship With Students and Their Family

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a United States federal law that governs the access of educational information and records to public entities which includes family members of students. Due to our compliance with FERPA and the fact that UIC is unable to assess the nature of each student-parent relationship, we leave it to the student to decide whether or when to allow parents and other family members access to their information. UIC students are responsible for managing their affairs, including decisions pertaining to academic, financial, and personal issues. With that being said, rest assured that university staff members are available to support students as they work through such issues. The vast majority of students handle their new independence with a deep sense of personal responsibility; however, the university recognizes that there are unusual situations that may necessitate contact with parents. Additional information about UIC Student Records Policy can be found online at registrar.uic.edu/campus_policies. UIC encourages you to discuss with your student elements of their educational experience that you may want access to so that you can come to an agreement with your student on a plan that works for both of you. Recent revisions to the Higher Education Act allow the university to notify parents of students under the age of 21 who violate laws on the use or possession of alcohol or drugs.