Code of Virginia § 23.1-405(C)
Code of Virginia § 23.1-405(C)
Code of Virginia § 23.1-405(C), amended by HB2449 on July 1, 2019, prohibits all Virginia public universities from disclosing a student’s email address, physical address or telephone number under the directory information exception of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), UNLESS:
- The disclosure is to students enrolled in the institution for educational purposes or institution business, and the student has not opted out of such disclosure, or
- The student has affirmatively consented in writing
Enrolled students are all active students, regardless of academic program levels: undergraduate, graduate, certificates, non-degree and continuing education.
Faculty and staff will continue to have access to students enrolled in their courses and participating in Mason activities, and may share their email with currently enrolled students for educational and classroom purposes.
The full text of the bill can be found here: Code of Virginia section 23.1-405(C)
Effect of Code of Virginia § 23.1-405(C)
- Faculty and staff MAY share a student’s email address, physical address or telephone number with other students enrolled at Mason (i.e. active students) for educational purposes or institution business, as long as the student has not opted out of such disclosure.
- Platforms that do not require single-sign on or that share information with non-active students (such as alumni) should not disclose student contact information
- Student emails will not be searchable in MasonLive (Outlook365), as both active and non-active students (i.e. alumni) can search student emails.
- Student emails will not appear in Mason’s online student directory, known as People Finder unless the student opts-in (guest WiFi users can access People Finder on campus).
Providing Consent or Opting-Out
- Students can opt-into PeopleFinder or allow Mason to share their information with 3rd parties by submitting the Opt-In Form
- Students may opt out by filling out the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Student Information form, which will prevent the release of all student directory information.
See Student FAQs or Faculty and Staff FAQs for more information.
If you have additional questions regarding Code of Virginia § 23.1-405(C) please contact the FERPA Compliance Office in the Office of the Registrar at ferpa@gmu.edu
