Protecting Student Privacy While Capturing Milestone Moments
Graduation is a pivotal milestone filled with memories that students and their families will treasure for a lifetime. In today’s digital age, preserving these moments must go hand-in-hand with protecting student privacy. That’s why understanding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is essential when selecting a photography partner.
At Graduation Foto, we take student privacy seriously and work closely with schools to ensure full FERPA compliance.
What is FERPA?
FERPA is a U.S. federal Law designed to safeguard the privacy of student education records. It outlines what types of student information schools can share, under what conditions, and details the rights of parents and eligible students (those under 18 in non-postsecondary institutions)
What is Directory Information?
Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.31), schools may release certain “directory information”, such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, and major, without prior consent, unless the student has opted out. Schools are responsible for ensuring this information is handled appropriately and in compliance with these regulations.
How Graduation Foto Supports FERPA compliance?
Working with School- Provided Directory Information... Graduation Foto uses only approved directory information, like addresses and emails, provided by the schools to deliver free, no-obligation photo proofs to graduates and their families.
Collecting Direct Information from Graduates... Through our secure Selfie SignUp tool at graduation events, we collect the most up-to-date contact information directly from students, reinforcing FERPA’s emphasis on individual consent.
Strong Privacy & Data protection Measures... Graduation Foto does not sell or share student data with third parties, except when required by law. All information is used exclusively for delivering photo proofs and special offers, and we implement robust security measures to protect this data at every step.
Faster Photo delivery... Traditional address cards can be misfiled or contain outdated information, even when provided by schools. Selfie Signup allows graduates to submit their most up-to-date contact details on the spot, ensuring a faster and more accurate delivery of their graduation photos.
Keeping Parents in the loop... Conventional methods often overlook parents’ email addresses. With graduation being such a meaningful family milestone, Selfie Signup gives parents direct access to their graduate’s photo proofs, helping them stay connected to this special moment.
A Personal touch with Selfies... Selfie Signup also invites graduates (or a family member) to upload a selfie. This personal touch helps identify graduates across a range of candid and ceremony photos, not just the traditional handshake and portrait shots.
Why Partner with Graduation Foto?
When you choose Graduation Foto for your graduation photography needs, you’re not just getting high-quality, memorable photos for your institution and for your graduates. You're choosing a partner committed to adhering to all FERPA guidelines, ensuring both a memorable and secure experience for all involved.
The Bottom Line
In an age where privacy concerns are on the rise, it's important to choose vendors who understand and respect these issues. Graduation Foto stands as a paragon of FERPA compliance, delivering exceptional graduation photography services without compromising on the safety and privacy of your students.
