FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

FERPA … And You Thought It Only Applied To Transcripts

What do divorced parents, anti-terrorism laws, subpoenas, a suspension letter, credit card companies, social security numbers, military recruiters and John Belushi have in common? FERPA that’s what! FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), also referred to as the Buckley Amendment, is the federal statute that governs access to and release of student educational records. Anyone who works with students, student records or supervises staff with record responsibilities must be familiar with the law's protections, restrictions and exceptions. This program will provide an overview of the law and discuss in practical terms compliance with its varied and complex provisions.

Professional Biography

Kenneth A. Tashjy, General Counsel, Massachusetts Community Colleges

Ken has been with the Massachusetts Community Colleges’ General Counsel’s Office since 1996 and General Counsel since 2000. The General Counsel’s Office provides exclusive legal support and counsel to the Community Colleges’ Presidents, senior administrators and Boards of Trustees.

The Massachusetts Community Colleges comprise the largest segment of public higher education in Massachusetts with 15 colleges and over 200,000 students enrolled in credit and non-credit courses. Ken received a B.A. in Psychology from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, a Masters Degree in Higher Education Policy, Research & Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. Prior to joining the General Counsel’s Office, he served as President of College Counsel Legal Services, an education law consulting business, and as an attorney in the litigation division for the Boston firm, Morrison, Mahoney and Miller.

Prior to practicing law, Ken was a student affairs administrator at Bowdoin College, Simmons College, the College of William and Mary, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Ken has also served as an adjunct instructor at Suffolk University and Brandeis University.

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