Center for Online Learning
User Information Guidelines
The following guidelines cover information pertaining to FERPA and information contained within GeorgiaVIEW.
What is FERPA?
"The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student's education records. The law applies to all schools which receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education."
How does it apply to GeorgiaVIEW?
- Only "Directory Information" as defined by the University may be released regarding a student. Students may elect to have their directory information withheld.
- Since all computer files and computer generated information on a student maintained by the institution are considered educational records under the law, all data posted by or about a student in GeorgiaVIEW is, at this time, considered an educational record covered by the act. (Also note that students retain copyright over materials that they post.)
Information Fields within GeorgiaVIEW
The following fields contain information about a user. The table defines the data's use and recommendation as it pertains to both FERPA and institution policy.
| Data Field | Description / Info | We recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Username | Cannot be modified by the user and is set to "private" by default. | Leave as is. |
| Name (F, L) | Cannot be modified by the user and is set to "public" by default. Public status cannot be changed. | Leave as is. |
| Can be modified by the user and is set to "private" by default - as covered by FERPA. Private status can be changed. | User discretion. Modify to the email you check most often if you decide to reveal it. | |
| Nickname | Can be modified by the user and is set to "public" by default. Public status can be modified. | User discretion. This is useful for letting others know the name you like to be called. |
| Photo | Can be modified by the user and is set to "private" by default. Private state can be modified. No data is initially set in this field. | User discretion. This is simply a voluntary social-networking feature. |
| Bio | Can be modified by the user and is set to "private" by default. Private state can be modified. No data is initially set in this field. | User discretion. This is simply a voluntary social-networking feature. |
Information Privacy
There is no inherent "danger" in allowing any of these fields to be public. Only users enrolled in your courses will be able to see this information - and then only at certain points within the system. We do, however, regard the user's right to privacy as important, and have taken the necessary steps to ensure it.
Other information given in an online environment such as through an online discussion, or through an email to an instructor is solely protected by the intent and action of the user. Please take care in considering unintended consequences of posting specific information about yourself online by considering both the recipient and content of the message or text.
If you have any questions regarding FERPA or other information, please visit the Office of Legal Affairs.