Walden University retains its academic records based on the guidelines recommended by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
Notification of FERPA Rights
Walden University retains its academic records based on the guidelines recommended by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include the following:
- The right to inspect and review their education records within forty-five (45) calendar days of when the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar a written request identifying the records they want to inspect. The registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the students of when and how the records will be made available for inspection. The university may charge a fee for copies of records.
- The right to request the amendment of their education records that students believe are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of student privacy rights under FERPA. Students should write to the registrar, clearly identify the part of their records they want changed, and specify why that change should be made. If the university decides not to amend a record as requested, the university notifies the student of the decision and advises the student of his or her 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.
- The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including the residency security authority and health staff); student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a person serving on the university’s Board of Directors. A school official also may include an Adtalem Global Education colleague, a volunteer, or contractor outside of the university who performs an institutional service or function for which the university would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the university with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information (PII) from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, intern or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing their tasks.
The university may disclose educational records without the written consent of students to officials at schools, colleges, or universities participating in cross-enrollment programs for the furtherance of the educational or business purposes of the student or college. - The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office that administers FERPA is
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Disclosure of Student Information Required by the Solomon Amendment
The Solomon Amendment is a federal law that requires Walden University to provide certain student information to military recruiters. The Department of Education has determined the Solomon Amendment supersedes FERPA; therefore, Walden is obligated to release requested “student recruiting information” if contained in a student record. Student recruiting information may include the student’s name, address, telephone number, email address, age or year of birth, place of birth, class level, current major, and most recent educational institution attended. Information released is limited to students enrolled in the current semester or the previous semester.
Under FERPA, currently enrolled students have the right to request suppression of designated directory information. If a student requests that their directory information be withheld under FERPA, this protection will be honored under the Solomon Amendment and the student’s records will not be released. To request suppression of directory information, students and alumni can submit a written request to the Customer Care Team at reghelp@mail.waldenu.edu at any time.
Disclosure of Student and Alumni Information
The university may disclose public, or directory, information at its discretion. Under FERPA, currently enrolled students and alumni have the right to request suppression of designated directory information. To request suppression of directory information, students and alumni can submit a written request to the Walden Registrar at reghelp@mail.waldenu.edu at any time.
Public (Directory) Information
- Name, address, and telephone number
- Email address
- Major field of study
- Enrollment status
- Program start date
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees and awards
- Previous institutions attended
Non-Public (Private) Information
Information other than directory information is not public and may not be released except under certain prescribed conditions. Non-releasable information includes the following:
- Grades
- Courses taken
- Test scores
- Advising records
- Educational services received
- Disciplinary actions
- Social Security number
Student Contact and Identification Information
Student Self-Service
Students are responsible for keeping their contact information accurate and current. Students may update their personal email, phone number, and billing, shipping, or permanent address on their myWalden university portal or by emailing changes to infochanges@mail.waldenu.edu. At any time, request for updates to all student contact and identification information may be emailed to infochanges@mail.waldenu.edu.
Social Security Number
Students requesting corrections to their Social Security Number must submit an email request to infochanges@mail.waldenu.edu. Such requests must include a copy of the student’s social security card. Significant changes to a student’s Social Security Number may require additional verification documentation, such as proof of approval by the Social Security Administration of the change. All documentation will be maintained by the university to authenticate changed data.
Legal Name
Students requesting corrections or changes to their legal first or last name must submit an email request to infochanges@mail.waldenu.edu (For additional details on updating a chosen or preferred name, see Chosen or Preferred Name). Such requests must include a copy of legal documentation of the requested change or correction. Legal documentation can be a copy of a driver’s license; Social Security card; marriage certificate; or court order, such as a divorce decree. Legal name changes need to reflect the exact name on the legal documentation provided: chosen names, preferred names, nicknames, middle names, alternate spellings, or abbreviations cannot be used in official university records, unless these are confirmed as legal names.
* Official University Records are defined as transcripts; program progress guides; degree audit or credential verification documentation; federal student-aid related documents; tax verification documentation; military-services documents; reports to federal, state, or other authorizing bodies; or any record which contains non-public information as described in the Disclosure of Student and Alumni Information policy.
Chosen or Preferred Name
At Walden, we continuously strive to maintain a climate where inclusivity is a university-wide value. We value diversity in activities, in the classroom, and throughout the institution. To foster an authentic, respectful, and successful student experience, our online admissions application and student/alumni information systems makes it possible for applicants, students, and graduates to self-identify a first name which differs from their legal first name. A chosen or preferred first name which differs from the legal first name will remain stored with the legal name in the student information system, and will be visible in all class rosters, learning management systems, and student information systems. Students requesting updates to a chosen or preferred name must submit an email request to infochanges@mail.waldenu.edu.
This policy is also applicable to the process for completing a graduation application; however please note this is a separate process, and the name on the diploma will appear as indicated on the graduation application. For additional details, see Degree Audit, Completion, and Graduation.
A student’s legal name will continue to be used in offices and records that have a critical need to use such personally identifiable information. Therefore, if you are speaking with a university representative or office that must use your legal name for any purpose, your legal name will be used as verification of your identity.
Walden University reserves the right to deny or revoke a non-legal name change request if it is deemed offensive or vulgar, used for purposes of misrepresentation or avoidance of legal obligation, or otherwise inappropriate in the sole determination of the University.
University Email Address
In accordance with Walden’s Email Policy, Walden University provides all students with a dedicated WaldenU email address. Unless specified otherwise, where applicable, the university email address will reflect the preferred first name and legal last name provided in the Online Application or as updated by a matriculating student, if applicable. Otherwise, the university email address will default to use of the student’s legal name.
Personal Pronouns
An applicant or student may also choose to disclose Personal Pronoun information, which will be available to a student’s Student Success Advisor as well as to an instructor to better and more appropriately communicate with the student. This information is not included in a student’s official or unofficial university transcript, nor as part of the official university record.
Student Identification Cards
An official ID card includes a student’s first name, last name, and student ID number and is available for printing through the myWalden portal. For more information, students can email support@mail.waldenu.edu.