Student Data and Personal Identifiable information
In conjunction with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is committed to and recognizes the importance of privacy and protecting the personal data of our students.
Per policy 3G2, "Student" is defined as a person who is or has been enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in a course of study either on campus or off campus.
SIUE includes the following as Personal Identifiable Information (PII):
- The name of a student, student's parents, student's spouse, or other immediate family members.
- The address of the student.
- Student's identification number.
- A list of personal characteristics which would make the student's identity easily traceable.
- Other information would make the student's identity easily traceable.
How do we use Personal Data?
The collection and utilization of personal data are necessary for SIUE to achieve its mission. SIUE processes personal information for various reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Academic admissions and enrollment
- Student Registration
- Distribution of grades and milestones related to the academic record for a variety of communications and processes
- Record retention
- Delivery of classroom, online, and study-abroad educational programs
- Approved research and analysis
- Related services for engagement related to the student experience, such as web directory, health insurance, athletic events, peripheral systems, etc.
- Residence life
- Student organizations
- Student Affairs activities
- Compliance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and guidelines
- Compliance with internal procedures and guidelines
- Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
Students may object to the release of their directory information by submitting a Directory Information Release form. This form can also be found in the Service Center. SIUE publishes a web directory. The information in the directory is refreshed once in the fall and once in the spring. To ensure exclusion from this online publication, the Directory Information Release form must be on file by the end of the first week of the semester during which the objection is to go into effect. Once filed, requests to withhold directory information will remain in effect until the student submits a written cancellation of the request. Please keep in mind that this will also exclude your name and information from Dean's listing in local newspapers unless the Office of the Registrar is contacted.
The University's complete Policy on the Release of Student Information and Access to Student Records may be found online.
Parental Access?
When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a post-secondary institution regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer to the student. Therefore, all SIUE students must give written authorization for parental access to education records.
To set up access for a parent, or other third-party, to view/pay your SIUE student account - do one or both of the following. This authorization is required to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Online - To allow access to your student bill and to receive eBill email notifications, follow these instructions.
- Email, Phone, or in Person - To discuss Billing, Financial Aid, Housing, or Academic matters, login to Cougarnet and select Student > Student Account > Authorization to Release Information.
The University MAY, but is not required to, disclose information to parents without the student’s consent as follows:
- Is permitted to disclose information from the student's education records to their parents if the parents (or one of your parents) claim the student as a dependent for federal tax purposes.
- If the student is a “dependent student,” that term is defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, if either parent has claimed the student as a dependent on the parent’s most recent income tax return, a school may disclose the student’s education records to either parent, without the eligible student’s consent.
- Parents of a student under the age of 21 regarding a violation of any law, at any level, or institutional policy or rule governing the use of alcohol or a controlled substance.
