Personal Rights and Human Values

Access to Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review personal records within 45 days after Evangel receives a request for access. Students desiring to view records must submit a written, signed request, stating the specific records desired, to the registrar, dean, academic department head, or other University official. The University official will plan for access and advise the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If requested records are not maintained by the 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 to the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   1. A student who wishes to ask the school 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 school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school 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 (P2) from the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. 
   1. The school discloses educational records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Evangel University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including, but not limited to, Public Safety and Wellness Center staff); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary committee or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of Evangel University who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of P2 from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent; or a student employed or volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for Evangel University.

Upon request, the school also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can be disclosed to outside organizations, as permitted by law, without prior written consent. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the University to include this type of information from educational records in certain publications. Examples include the annual yearbook, a playbill showing the student’s role in a drama production; Dean’s List or other recognitions; graduation programs and sports activity sheets, such as for intercollegiate football, showing hometown, weight and height of team members.

1. Evangel University has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, photography, dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
2. If you do not want Evangel to disclose directory information from your educational records, you must notify the school by checking the appropriate boxes on the Consent Form via your online student portal.
3. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Evangel 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

FERPA permits the disclosure of P2 from student’s education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, §99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose P2 from education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student.

To other school officials, including teachers, within Evangel University, whom the school has determined have legitimate educational interests.  This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) – (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. §99.31(a)(1).

To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. §99.31(a)(2).

To authorized representatives of U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the University’s state-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.  These entities may make further disclosures of P2 to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf.  (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.5)

In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.  (§99.31(a)(4)

To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of the school, to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction.  (§99.31(A)(6)

To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7))

To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes (§99.31(a)(8)

To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.  (§99.31(a)(9)

To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10)

Information the school has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11)

To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.  (§99.31(a)(13)

To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§99.31(a)(14)

To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State or local law, or of any rule, policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15)

Harassment

Evangel is committed to respect of human dignity of every student, employee, and guest. Harassment in any form is incompatible with biblical standards of conduct and academic integrity and is therefore prohibited. Students, employees, or guests who believe they have a basis for complaint should report such incidents without fear of reprisal. For a complete statement of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure, refer to the Student Handbook. Violations of the policy will result in disciplinary action. 

Multiculturalism

Evangel encourages students to understand and appreciate ethnic and cultural differences.  Recognizing the principles of Scripture and the rich contributions that diverse cultures make to campus life, the University supports the biblical concept of multiculturalism (Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9) in which all people participate equally in the Kingdom of God regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, or socio-economic status. 

Sanctity of Human Life

God has ordained marriage to bring a man and a woman together as the foundation for a new family. He empowers them, through their sexual union, to create new human life. The Bible is clear in its teaching regarding the sanctity of human life. Life begins at conception and is precious to God from that very moment. This facet makes the practice of abortion abhorrent in God’s eyes.

Although God’s heart is grieved when sexual union occurs outside of marriage, He extends redemptive grace to those individuals involved. When pregnancy results from that union, Evangel University, as an instrument of God, also strives to extend redemptive grace to those individuals, including the unborn child. Crisis pregnancy assistance designed to protect the expectant mother and her unborn child will be provided through the Office of Student Development.

Non-discrimination Policy

Evangel University does not discriminate in its education programs, admissions, activities, or employment practices on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Vice President for Business and Finance.