Student Privacy for Healthcare and Grades: The Parent Perspective
By KK Streator P'18
“My child tells me nothing” is a statement commonly heard among parents—and it’s no different when it comes to healthcare and grades while in college. CMC complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which was designed to protect student’s rights by maintaining the privacy of educational records, and providing guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading information. CMC also encourages students to take responsibility and advocate for themselves, but realizes that some students may want to share their academic progress with their parents and welcome parental support when it comes to healthcare.
The bottom line? Parents and students over the age of 18 may want to have a conversation regarding the release of educational and medical records, and arrive at an agreement that works for all. More information regarding the specific forms is below:
Healthcare: Student Health Services (SHS) and Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS) follow all required HIPAA and privacy guidelines (unless students pose a danger to themselves or to others). In order for a parent to receive medical information, students may elect to sign a Medical Release of Information Form with dates covering the school year, i.e. Sept. through May. Any submitted form must be signed by the student.
If your student is a CMS athlete, be aware that athletes are strongly encouraged to sign an annual Student Athlete HIPAA Authorization Form. This allows athletic trainers, physicians, and other medical providers to freely communicate about an athlete’s healthcare-related information. It also allows coaches to be kept informed on the status and severity of injuries. In order for parents to be informed about sports-related health information, athletes would have to also sign the aforementioned SHS Medical Release of Information Form.
Grades and Educational Records: Once a student is over 18 and enrolls in college, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the individual student. As a result, CMC can’t release education records—including grades—to parents unless the student has given prior express written consent. Students may fill out and sign a FERPA Release Form and bring it to the Registrar in order for their parents to have access to their grades. (In accordance with FERPA laws, CMC’s full written policy with regard to educational privacy and student privacy rights can be found on the CMC website.)
Parents with questions regarding FERPA policies can contact the CMC Office of the Registrar at registrar@claremontmckenna.edu. HIPPA questions should be directed to SHSrecords@cuc.claremont.edu.
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