NOTICE: Registration & Academic Services will be working remotely the week of March 13th through March 17th, and will be available via Live Chat or email. On Wednesday, March 15th, the office will be closed 11:30 to 5:00 for a staff event.
Registration & Academic Services sends all official correspondence via email utilizing a student's Lehigh University issued email address. This is our primary and official form of communication. Students are expected to check their University email regularly.
The Lehigh University Student Handbook is issued by the Dean of Students Office and is published by Lehigh University as the University's official notification of services and regulations that concern student life at Lehigh.
Guide to academic rules and regulations of what is expected of currently enrolled and potential undergraduates and graduate students and what they can expect of the University.
Lehigh University collects information about students for the express purpose of fulfilling the educational mission, and retains student records for designated periods of time. The University recognizes its obligation to inform students of the existence of these records, of University policies regarding its secure handling and proper use, and of the students’ rights under both policy and law. This policy describes how student information is collected at Lehigh University, how that information might be used by the University, and how individual students can request changes to the way their personal information is used or shared.
I. EXPECTATIONS OF PRIVACY and DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Lehigh University recognizes the privacy concerns of students, and has instituted policies and processes to secure information collected from students during the course of their time at the University. For the purpose of this policy, a student is defined as an individual currently or previously enrolled in an academic offering of Lehigh University. For newly admitted students, this policy becomes effective when the student has been admitted and their information has been entered into the Student Information System. Information included in the application becomes a part of the student's educational records. Note that records originating at another institution will also be subject to these policies.
These records may include personally identifiable information (PII) provided by the student, such as information related to racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, health, biometrics, or criminal background. Such sensitive information is subject to special controls described below (see Section III).
Information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed is known as Directory Information. Lehigh University defines Directory Information to include: a student's legal name and chosen name; home and University addresses; mailbox number; home and University phone numbers; date and place of birth; name of parent or guardian; name of spouse; major field of college student; class level; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received; the most recently attended educational institution; and, participation in sports and in officially recognized activities listed by the student; weight and height of members of athletic teams.
Directory Information may be disclosed without the permission of the student. Each student has the right to limit the access of off campus parties, excluding government agencies in certain situations, to information that would normally be released in the University Student Directory or athletic programs. Students who wish to exercise this right may do so by making the request to Registration & Academic Services in writing or email to ras@lehigh.edu, using their Lehigh University email account.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you are a citizen of the European Union or other regions with laws governing data collection and use, please note that by providing your personal information to Lehigh University, you consent to transfer and processing in accordance with this policy. By continuing to utilize Lehigh University sites or services or by submitting personal information to the University, you are agreeing to the terms of this policy and acknowledge that your information will be handled in accordance with this policy.
II. Notification of Rights under the FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR § 99) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.)
These rights include:
Student educational records subject to the preceding actions are defined as records, files, documents, data and other materials that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by Lehigh University or by a person acting for Lehigh University pursuant to University, college, departmental, or administrative unit policy.
Student educational records do not include records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel and ancillary educational personnel that are in the sole possession of the maker and that are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a substitute. Other exclusions include:
Educational records, or the contents thereof, will not be released to the student, parents, or any third party so long as a financial indebtedness or serious academic and/or disciplinary matter involving the student remains unresolved. This limitation does not preclude the student from having personal access to the records - merely from obtaining the release of the information. The student may not have access to the confidential financial statement of parents or any information contained in such statements.
A student may waive his/her right to access to confidential letters of recommendation that he/she seeks for admission to any educational agency or institution; for employment; or for application for an honor or honorary recognition. The student must be notified on request of all such individuals furnishing recommendations, and the letters must be solely for the stated purpose for which the student was notified and for which he/she waived his/her right of access. Such waivers may not be required as a condition for admission to, receipt of financial aid from, or receipt of any other services or benefits from such agency or institution.
III. Disclosures of Information that Lehigh University May Make Without Consent
Lehigh University may disclose personally identifiable information (PII) from students’ education records, without obtaining prior written consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in the FERPA regulations (see 34 CFR § 99.31, and following).
Lehigh University may disclose PII from the education records in the following circumstances:
An institutional official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibilities for Lehigh University. Legitimate educational interests are defined as objectives that are essential to the general process of higher education prescribed by the body of policy adopted by the governing board. In addition, Lehigh University recognizes that certain co-curricular activities that are generally supportive of overall goals of the institution and contribute generally to the well-being of the entire student body and specifically to many individuals who participate in these activities may constitute legitimate educational interests. These activities include varsity and intramural sports, social fraternities, specific interest clubs, and student government. Access to certain limited student education records may be granted to officials who support such programs and activities, subject to strict oversight policy.
Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, FERPA regulations requires Lehigh University to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.