Loyola University > CURA Network > For Faculty and Staff

For Faculty and Staff

Responding to Emotionally Distressed Students

Wellness Center's Resources for Faculty and Staff:

Understanding FERPA

Protecting student privacy is a priority of the University. Records and proceedings of the CURA: Care. Understanding. Resources. Accountability are kept confidential and shared on a "need to know" basis in a manner consistent with University policy and the University's obligations under applicable law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA").

FERPA protects the privacy of students' education records. FERPA does not prohibit or in any way restrict a University employee from sharing what they personally observe. In other words, a University employee would not violate FERPA by advising CSAA of what the employee saw or heard when directly interacting with a student, observing a student interact with others, or otherwise observing a student's behavior or demeanor.

For example, if a Loyola faculty member notices disturbing content in a student's writing or artwork, the faculty member should refer this to the Behavioral Concerns Team (BCT). Although a student's writing or artwork may also be a part of the student's educational record, FERPA authorizes school officials such as faculty to disclose educational records to other school officials with a legitimate educational interest in those records, without the student's consent. Since the BCT is responsible for identifying, responding to, and supporting at-risk Loyola students while supporting the safety of the Loyola Community, the BCT has a legitimate interest in examining students' writing or artwork.

For further information regarding FERPA.