MHGS complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 concerning privacy and disclosure of a student’s permanent educational record. Under FERPA, students are protected against improper disclosure of their records. This federal law affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records as follows:

1. To inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the graduate school receives a request for access.
2. To request the amendment of a student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
3. To disclose personal identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA prohibits disclosure without consent. MHGS policy is to confirm only dates of enrollment, areas of study, and degrees/certificates earned unless the student signs a release form authorizing disclosure of additional information.
4. To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by MHGS to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

MHGS designates the following items as Directory Information: student name, spouse name, address(es), telephone number(s), email address, photograph, enrollment status, date of birth, graduate degree study (degree/certificate program), participation in officially recognized activities, dates of attendance, degrees and rewards received, most recent and previous educational institution attended by the student.  It is institutional practice to use only the following information for the Student Directory: student name, address, telephone, email address and picture.

Annual notice is provided to students regarding the personally identifiable information that the institution utilizes for the Student Directory. If a student wishes to prohibit this information from being disclosed in the Student Directory, a nondisclosure form must be submitted to the Administrative Services Office within 14 days after the start of the term.

Students may withhold free disclosure of “Directory Information” (on all or none basis) to non-institutional persons or organizations.  A student maintains the option to protect her/his privacy and not have such information as addresses and telephone numbers released. Forms requesting the withholding of this information are available in the Office of Academic Services.  Otherwise, the institution assumes the approval of disclosure of directory information.  Students must complete the form by the end of the second week of their entering term if they do not want directory information to be included in the Student Directory.  Aside from the specific deadline that relates to the Student Directory in the fall, requests for non-disclosure may be filed anytime, but cannot be effective until filed.  Requests will be honored until revoked by the student.