Student records privacy and access

The Board of Regents Student Education Records policy provides information on what is considered public and private student information.

Directory information (public)

Some of your student information is designated as directory information and is a matter of public record. Your public student information will first appear in the directory on the first day of the term for the first class you take as a student. The information can be made available upon request and may be disclosed without your consent. This includes the following:

  •  Name
  •  Dates of enrollment and registration status
  •  Major, advisor, college, and class level
  •  Academic awards received and degrees received

People Search

In addition to public records, anyone with a University internet ID and password can log into People Search to look up University members. By default, People Search shows the information included in your directory information, plus your University email address.

Limited directory

Additionally, some of your information is designated as limited directory information. This information is made available to student groups, staff, and faculty at the University of Minnesota by request. This includes the following:

  • Mailing address
  • Email address
  • Telephone number

Make your information private

You can make your directory or limited directory information private in the My Info tab of MyU at any time throughout your academic career. In MyU, there are five options to suppress (hide or restrict) your information:

  • Suppress ONLY my phone numbers.
  • Suppress ONLY my addresses.
  • Suppress BOTH my phone numbers and my addresses.
  • Suppress my phone numbers, my address, my email
    • Your information will not appear in the University’s public directories. Your phone numbers, addresses and email addresses will not be released to third parties without your written permission.
  • Suppress ALL information about me
    • Your information will not be released to third parties without your written permission, including your university enrollment information. The University will not verify your attendance or degree completion to prospective employers, financial institutions, rental agencies, or other entities offering services without your written permission.

The changes that you make apply to public records requests for student information as well as to the results shown in People Search. Changes take effect within 24 hours. If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or call 612-301-4357.

Note that suppressing your information does not hide it from University staff who need your information, such as your advisor. If you also work at the University, your public employment information will not be hidden.

How to set directory suppression

Text instructions
  1. Log into the MyU: My Info tab.
  2. Scroll down and click Edit in the Directory Suppression heading to access your options.
  3. Carefully read the information, and then click the Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions button.
  4. Select the option(s) you desire, and then click Save.
  5. View the updated information in the Directory Suppression section.
Visual guide

To open the guide in a new window, use the full-screen version.

iFrame

Student records policies and access

Regents policy, federal law, and state law regulate release of student information to third parties. University policy regulates sharing of information within the University. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the State of Minnesota Data Practices Act form the backdrop for the University's policies on access to student records.

Student records access

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Granting access to third parties

If you need to grant a third party access to information on your student record, use Parent/Guest Access or submit the Student Information Release Authorization form. You or a third party can also make a data request through the Data Request Center.

Access within the University

Within the University, all employees with a demonstrated need to know will be granted access to student academic information. Some employees will have access to all information, and others to limited sets of information. Employees with a need to know would include, but are not limited to:

  • Advisors
  • Instructors
  • Department data managers

Access to outside agencies

Outside agencies acting on behalf of the University, the US Department of Education, authorized lending institutions, and accrediting agencies have access to specific student information. This access is governed by contracts and specific regulations.

Your rights

As a student, you have a right to review your education records, to challenge the contents of these records, and to file a complaint with the US Department of Education.