Confidential

The Disabled Student Services program is committed to ensuring that all information regarding a student is maintained as confidential as required or permitted by law. Any information collected is used for the benefit of the student. This information may include test data, grades, biographical history, disability information, and case notes.

The following guidelines about the treatment of such information have been adopted by the DSS program, and are rigorously followed and shared with students. They incorporate applicable state and federal regulations, as well as guidelines established by relevant professional associations.

Need-To-Know

No one has immediate access to student files in the DSS program except staff from the DSS program. Any disability-related documentation will be considered confidential and will only be shared with others within the institution on a need-to-know basis only. Disability-related information will be treated like medical information. Examples include the following:

• College faculty and staff do not have a legal right to disability-related documentation. They only need to know that the documentation has been appropriately verified by the individual (or office) assigned this responsibility on behalf of the institution (i.e., DSS).
• Administrators may have a need to collect data concerning the number of students are being served, the nature of their disabilities, and what type of accommodations are recommended. However, under typical circumstances, this data is for purposes of statistical or survey reporting and administrators do not have a need for information about who those students are.

Information in files will not be released, except in accordance with federal and state laws which require release in the following circumstances:

• If the student states he/she intends to harm himself/herself or another person(s).
• If the student reports or describes any physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse of children
• If the college is issued a court order or subpoena.

A student may give written authorization for the release of information when he/she wishes to share it with others. Before giving such authorization, the student should understand the information being released, the purpose of the release, and to whom the information is being released. Information will not be released without consent unless it is required by federal or state law.

A student has the right to review his/her own file.