About Your Privacy

Bellevue College has established the following policies to protect the privacy of student’s personal, educational, and financial information.

Disclosure of Social Security Number

Pursuant to Section 7 of Public Law 93-579 (commonly known as the Federal Privacy Act), which became effective on September 27, 1975, notice is hereby given that disclosure of a student’s Social Security number for the purpose of admission and registration at Bellevue College is voluntary on the student’s part.

The State Board for Community and Technical College’s recordkeeping system requires that each student have a unique nine-digit number; therefore, Bellevue College assigns a nine-digit number to all students who have attended and those who are applying for admission. The Social Security number that will continue to be requested will not be used as an identifier in the college records system.

Bellevue College will not deny any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of that individual’s refusal to disclose his/her Social Security number. Students who receive financial aid, however, should be aware that federal law requires them to provide their Social Security numbers.

Privacy of Educational Records

Please read: http://bellevuecollege.edu/legal-information/public-disclosure/#ferpa

Annual Notification

Bellevue College will provide students annual notification of their rights as defined by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), by publication in the Student Handbook, College Catalog and posting it in the Student Services Building.

Primary Rights of Students

1. To inspect and review education records.
2. To request amendment of education records.
3. To have some control over the disclosure of information from education records.

Procedure To Inspect Education Records

Students may inspect and review their education records upon written request to the Associate Dean of Enrollment Services by identifying the record(s) the student wishes to inspect.

The Associate Dean of Enrollment Services will make the needed arrangements for access within 45 days from the date of receipt of the written request. If the records are not maintained by the office of the Associate Dean, the Associate Dean shall forward the request to the appropriate college official. If the records contain information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records which relate to him or her.

Limitation On Right Of Access

Bellevue College reserves the right to refuse to permit a student to inspect the following records:

1. The financial statement of the student’s parents.
2. Letters and statements of recommendations for which the student has waived his or her right of access, or which were maintained before January 1, 1975.
3. Records connected with an application to attend Bellevue College or a component unit of BC if that application was denied.
4. Those records which are excluded from the FERPA definition of education records.

Refusal To Provide Copies

Bellevue College reserves the right to deny copies of records, including transcripts, not required to be made available by FERPA in any of the following situations:

1. The student has an unpaid financial obligation to the college.
2. There is an unresolved disciplinary action against the student.
3. The education record requested is an exam or set of standardized test questions.

Types, Location And Custodians Of Education Records

The following is a list of the types, locations, (length of time record is kept by the college), and custodians of records that the college maintains. Mail requests should be addressed to BC, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007, to the custodian and location indicated.

Disclosure Of Education Records

The college will disclose information from a student’s education records only with the written consent of the student, except that records may be disclosed without consent when the disclosure is:

1. To school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.
   1. A School Official is:
      • a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position, including health center staff.
      • a person elected to the Board of Trustees.
      • a person employed by or under contract to the college to perform a special task, such as the attorney or auditor.
      • a person who is employed by Campus Security.
      • a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
   2. A School Official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is:
      • performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or contract agreement.
      • performing a task related to a student’s education.
      • performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
      • providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student’s family, such as health education, counseling, advising, student employment, financial aid, or other student service related assistance.
      • maintaining the safety and security of the campus.
2. To school officials of another school, upon request by that school, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
3. To certain officials of the U. S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, and State and local educational authorities, in connection with audit or evaluation of certain State or federally supported education programs.
4. In connection with a student’s request for or receipt of financial aid to determine the eligibility, amount, or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
5. To State and local officials or authorities if specifically required by a State law that was adopted before November 19, 1974.
6. To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the college.
7. To accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
8. To parents of an eligible student who is claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes.
9. To comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.
10. To appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.
11. To individuals requesting directory information so designated by the College.
12. The results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by the College against an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence to the alleged victim of that crime.

Directory Information

BC designates the following items as Directory Information, which may be disclosed without prior written consent, unless the college is notified in writing to the contrary by September 15 of the academic year:

1. Student’s name;
2. Student’s e-mail address;
3. dates of attendance at Bellevue College;
4. degrees or certificates and awards received by the student;
5. participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
6. weight and height of members of athletic teams.

Correction Of Education Records

Students have the right to ask to have records corrected that they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Following are the procedures for the correction of records:

1. A student must ask the Associate Dean of Enrollment Services to amend a record. The student should identify the part of the record to be amended and specify why the student believes it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of his or her privacy rights.
2. BC may comply with the request or decide not to comply. If it decides not to comply, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
3. Upon request, BC will arrange for a hearing, and notify the student reasonably in advance of the date, place and time of the hearing.
4. The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer who is a disinterested party; however, the hearing officer may be an official of the institution. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend education records. The student may be assisted by one or more individuals, including an attorney.
5. BC will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.
6. If BC decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right of privacy, it will amend the record and notify the student, in writing, that the record has been amended.
7. If BC decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right of privacy, it will notify the student that he or she has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or a statement setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.
8. The statement will be maintained as part of the student’s education records as long as the contested portion is maintained. If BC discloses the contested portion of the record, it must also disclose the statement.

Last Updated March 9, 2021