Education Records (FERPA) and Directory Information

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

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day Point Loma Nazarene University (“PLNU”) receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Office of Records, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the requested records are not maintained by the school 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 of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

A student who wishes to ask PLNU to amend a record should write the Office of Records, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy under FERPA.

If PLNU decides not to amend the record as requested, PLNU 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 PLNU discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Under FERPA, PLNU may disclose education records without a student’s prior written consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official includes persons employed by PLNU in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including security personnel and health staff); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of PLNU 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 PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent, or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for PLNU.

Upon request, PLNU also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. PLNU will make a reasonable attempt to notify a student of these disclosures, unless the request or disclosure is initiated by the student.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by PLNU to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue
SW Washington, DC 20202

FERPA also permits PLNU to disclose directory information without student consent. Accordingly, PLNU may, but is not required to, release directory information. PLNU has defined directory information as name, address (including electronic mail), photo, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status, degrees, honors and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degree candidacy, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. This information may be provided, upon review by the Director of Records, as public information to individuals who demonstrate a valid need for the information.

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, FERPA requires PLNU to record such disclosures. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.

In addition to the above, FERPA permits postsecondary institutions to disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student in the following circumstances: 

• 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 specific requirements.
• To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local educational authorities. Such disclosures may be made in connection with an audit or evaluation of federal or California supported education programs, or for the enforcement of, or compliance with, federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.
• 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.
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, PLNU in order to:
  • develop, validate, or administer predictive tests;
  • administer student aid programs; or
  • improve instruction.
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to all FERPA requirements. 
• To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to FERPA’s requirements. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.
• To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to FERPA’s requirements, if PLNU 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 PLNU’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her.
• To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if PLNU determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.

Periodically, PLNU conducts formal and informal photo and video shoots (around the campus and at off-campus events and activities) for use in university publications, social media, promotional videos/commercials, and the PLNU Web site. Students who require that no identifiable image be used by the university must notify Marketing and Creative Services in writing prior to the second Monday of each semester. Students should email their request to photo-optout@pointloma.edu and include their full name and student ID number. In addition, PLNU may submit information about students’ participation in school activities to media outlets. Students who require that their names be excluded from such stories must notify Marketing and Creative Services in writing prior to the second Monday of each semester.

Questions relative to FERPA policies should be referred to the Office of Records. To notify the Director of University Compliance and Registrar of an employee's failures by PLNU to comply with the requirements of FERPA, you can email compliance@pointloma.edu or file an online report.

Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment

Including Title IX, Title VI, and California SB 493

As a Christian community shaped by grace, truth, and holiness as a way of life, Point Loma Nazarene University is committed to pursue and reflect the diversity and belonging of the kingdom of God portrayed in scripture. We believe that every human being is created in the image of God and that our diverse identities, experiences, and abilities enrich our learning community. Accordingly, Point Loma Nazarene University is committed to providing an educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination based on protected characteristics, harassment, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity.

Point Loma Nazarene University values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the Parties in the resolution process during what is often a difficult time for all involved. 

To ensure compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the education program or activity, Point Loma Nazarene University has developed policies and procedures that provide for prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of allegations of protected characteristic discrimination, harassment or allegations of retaliation. Please visit www.pointloma.edu/bias to view PLNU’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy and Procedure or www.pointloma.edu/title-ix to view information on PLNU's response to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. 

To make a report of discrimination or harassment, please click here.

Jeanne Clery Act

In 1990, Congress enacted The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act as part of an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965. Later renamed The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in memory of Jeanne Clery, a university student murdered in her dorm room, it requires all postsecondary institutions participating in federal student financial assistance programs to disclose certain information on campus crime and various safety and security-related policies. Further amendments in recent years have expanded the requirements to include information on fire safety, sexual assault, and missing students.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports and other information about campus safety are located on the Department of Public Safety website.

Religious Expression

Founded in 1902, Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a Christian university committed to the liberal arts and professional preparation. A combination of challenging academics, deep spirituality, and service-centered action prepares students for living purpose-filled lives and integrating knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions.

Being of Wesleyan heritage, and affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, we strive to be a learning community where grace is foundational, truth is pursued, and holiness is a way of life. We also strive to provide a learning and living environment that promotes safety, transparency, personal integrity, civility, mutual respect and freedom from unlawful discrimination.

This integration of faith and learning is recognized by the United States and California Constitutions and many state and federal laws. For example, exemptions in Title IX1 and the California Equity in Higher Education Act2 recognize the right of religious educational institutions such as PLNU to incorporate religious beliefs into all aspects of university life and maintain faith-based standards of behavior which all community members voluntarily agree to follow.  A full statement of PLNU's mission and community expectations for graduate and professional study students can be found at:

• Student Standards of Conduct: Graduate and Professional Students Why PLNU

PLNU seeks to recruit students of the Christian faith and to create an institutional environment conducive to their growth in Christ; however, we do not require that students be confessing Christians. We welcome and value students of every background and faith. As a Christian community, we expect that all of our students will respect the nature of our community, learn about our traditions and participate in our community practices. PLNU affirms that a Christian liberal arts education includes an understanding of and appreciation of the differences in faith, living, and practice.

1. 20 U.S.C. Section 1681(a)(3).
2. Cal. Ed. Code Section 66271.