Right - To - Know Student Consumer Information Federal Student Disclosure Requirements

Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Education to implement changes made to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (1998 Amendments) require the disclosure of financial assistance and institutional information to students under the student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV). These programs include the Federal Pell Grant Program, the campus-based programs (Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs), the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, and the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program (formerly called the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) Program). Under the regulations the University annually must distribute to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of financial assistance and institutional information required to be disclosed pursuant to the Higher Education Act amendments and pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which governs access to student educational records maintained by educational institutions and the release of information from those records.

Student Financial Assistance

The following student financial assistance regarding the University at Albany, SUNY is available at this location www.albany.edu/financialaid

• a description of all Federal, State, local, private and institutional student financial assistance programs available;
• how to apply for student financial assistance;
• student eligibility requirements, including standards for satisfactory academic progress;
• the method of award and distribution of student financial assistance;
• the rights and responsibilities of students receiving financial assistance, including the terms of any loans received, the terms and conditions of employment provided as part of a student’s financial assistance, and the terms and conditions under which students receiving FFEL and Direct loans may obtain deferrals;
• the cost of attendance at the institution, including tuition and fees, room and board and estimates of the costs of books and supplies and transportation;
• the requirements for refunds of tuition, fees and costs, for the return of federal funds, and for officially withdrawing from the institution;
• notice that study abroad is considered enrollment at the University for purposes of federal student financial assistance.

Institutional Information

Undergraduate Students

Information about the University at Albany's undergraduate academic programs, instructional, laboratory and physical facilities, faculty, and retention and graduation rates are available at these locations:

• Undergraduate Bulletin, Index
• Undergraduate academic programs
• General Information on physical facilities, libraries, computing facilities, and accreditation
• Faculty
• Retention and graduation rates

Disabled Students

Information on special facilities and services available to disabled students

Graduate Students

Information about the University at Albany's graduate programs, instructional, laboratory and physical facilities, and faculty are available at these locations:

• Graduate Bulletin, Index
• Graduate academic programs
• General Information on physical facilities, libraries, computing facilities, and accreditation
• Faculty

University’s Annual Security Report

Statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus as well as institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters can be found at http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml.

Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data

Information on athletic program participation rates and financial support of athletic programs at the University at Albany, SUNY including participation and staffing by gender, and revenues and expenses attributable to the University’s intercollegiate athletic programs is available from the U.S. Department of Education at http://www.ope.ed.gov/athletics/Index.aspx

Campus Policy Governing Use of Alcohol

The State University at Albany's policy regarding alcohol use can be found at http://www.albany.edu/studentconduct/27168.php

Drugs

The University at Albany is committed to promoting a drug-free campus environment.

Consistent with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), all students and employees are advised that individuals who violate Federal, State or Local laws and campus policies are subject to University Disciplinary action and criminal prosecution. The possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance or dangerous drugs, or any drug unlawful to possess, e.g. marijuana, except as expressly permitted by law, is a violation of law and of campus policy. Penalties may include attendance and completion of appropriate rehabilitation programs in addition to federal, state and local sanctions.

Students should be aware there are significant psychological and physiological health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. Physical addiction, loss of control and withdrawal syndrome as well as serious damage to vital organs of the body can result from drug and alcohol abuse.

The following resources are available for assisting those with possible problems of chemical abuse:

• University Counseling Center

• Middle Earth Crisis Intervention

New York State Law

Articles 220 and 221 of the New York State Penal Law set criminal penalties for possession or sale of drugs considered harmful or subject to abuse. The seriousness of the offense and penalaty imposed upon conviction depend upon the individual drug and amount held or sold.

Marijuna

New York State law classifies possession of up to 25 grams of marijuana as a violation. Penalties range from $100 to $250 fine and/or up to 15 days in jail, depending on whether it is a first, second or third offense. Possession of more than 25 grams but not more than eight o\unces is a misdemeanor; possession of more than eight ounces is a felony. Sale of 25 grams or less is a misdemeanor; sale of more than 25 grams is a felony. New York State law makes no exception for the use of marijuna for medical purposes.

Hashish

The penalities for sale or possession of hashish are more severe. Possession of any amount, no matter how small, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or up to $1000 fine. Possession of one-quarter ounce or more is a felony. Sale of any amount of hashish, no matterhow small, is a felony.

Cocaine and Crack

Possession of any amount, no matter how small, is the most serious class of misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in a county jail. Possession of 500 milligrams or more is a class D felony punishable by 2.3 to 7 years in a state correctional facility. Sale of any amount is a felony.

Effects and Symptoms of overdose, withdrawal and misuse of alcohol and drugs

A description of alcohol and drug categories, their effects, symptoms of overdose, withdrawal symptoms and indications of misuse can be found at
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/ and at the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice website: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/concern.htm

Federal Trafficking Penalties can be found at
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/druginfo/ftp3.shtml

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 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.) These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the University at Albany receives a request for access. A student should submit to the University Registrar, Dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
   If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
   The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to University officials with legitimate educational interests. A University official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A University official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the University who performs an institutional service or function for which the University would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another University official in performing his or her tasks. A University official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
   
                           Family Policy Compliance Office
                           U.S. Department of Education
                           400 Maryland Avenue, SW
                           Washington, DC  20202

Notice of Disclosure and Directory Information

Generally, schools must have written permission from a student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of FERPA regulations, some of which are listed below:

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

FERPA also permits schools to disclose, without consent, “directory” information. The University, in accordance with FERPA, has designated the following information about students as public (directory) information:

• Name
• Address (local and permanent)
• Academic status (Undergraduate, Graduate, General Studies, etc.)
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees completed
• Major Field of Study (New in 2012)
• Honors and Awards (New in 2012)

Students have the right to have this directory information withheld from the public if they so desire. If such a request is made, it is the policy of the University that all directory information will be withheld. Each student who wants all directory information withheld shall so indicate by contacting the Office of the University Registrar in writing.

The University receives many inquiries for “directory information” from a variety of sources, including friends, parents, relatives, prospective employers, the news media, etc. Each student is advised to carefully consider the consequences of a decision to withhold “directory information.” The University, in all good faith, will not release directory information requested to be withheld, unless it’s under the provisions listed above.

A paper copy of the Security Report and/or other "Right to Know" information may be obtained by contacting John Murphy, the Clery Compliance Officer, at 518-956-8140 or by email at jmurphy@uamail.albany.edu. Any questions or concerns related to security matters may be directed to Inspector Aran Mull of the University Police Department at 518-442-3131 or by email at amull@uamail.albany.edu.