Original Date: 9/1/1995 * Last Revision Effective: 10/27/2023
Policy Contact: Chief Academic Officer
Policy
Bellevue College maintains all student records in accordance with the requirements set forth in the General Retention Schedule for Washington’s community and technical college system. The college routinely destroys student records that exceed the retention requirements. An official Bellevue College transcript is considered a permanent academic record and is retained by the college or the state’s regional archivist office indefinitely. Official transcripts submitted to the college from other institutions are not considered a permanent academic record and may be destroyed after the college completes its use of the document.
Records submitted to the college become the property of the college. The college does not return original documents to students or others. Students may request a copy of a student record maintained by the college, and the college reserves the right to charge a fee for these copies.
The college also complies with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Except as permitted or required by law, the college does not release student information or records without the student’s written consent.
Definitions
Student Records
- Include all information and documents Bellevue College collects from students or creates for students at the time of admission to the college through graduation, completion of academic goals, or after the student ceases to register for classes.
- Student records do not include information or documents collected or created based on individual counseling sessions provided by the Counseling Center, and records related to law enforcement, which includes the college’s Public Safety office.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student information and education records.
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
General Retention Schedule for Washington’s Community and Technical College System
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Revision History
Original 9/1/1995
Revisions 5/10/2005; 5/21/2009; 10/19/2015; 6/5/2019; 10/23/2023
Approved By
Board of Trustees
Last Updated October 30, 2023